SAILORS'  LIFE 


AND 


SAILORS'  YARNS, 


B  Y 


CAPTAIN   RINGBOLT.  » 

Jo/in    , 


NEW-YORK: 

.    S.    FRANCIS    &    CO.    252   BROADWAY. 

BOSTON : 
J.  H.  FRANCIS,  128  WASHINGTON  STREET. 

1847. 


IOAN  STACK 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  yea-r  1846, 
BY   C.   S.  FRANCIS   &    CO., 

lu  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  the 
State  of  New  York. 


; 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 
DEDICATION     ---------     v 

PREFACE v" 

A  SAILOR'S  LIFE 13 

NATHAN  SMITH 23 

CAPTAIN  DODGE .--81 

THE  PRETTY  MISSIONARY 110 

TOM  BROWN,  OR  SUPERSTITION     -----  149 
HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY         -        -       .-;     -       160 

CHARLEY  BRAIL'S  TRUE  STORY 173 

DAVID  WILLIAMS,  THE  STEWARD        ....       182 

A  BARGAIN 's  A  BARGAIN 194 

THE  OLD  SAILOR 208 

VESSELS  IN  DISTRESS     -------  226 

MISSING  VESSELS         -------      231 

SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS        -         -         -  237 


020 


TO 

CAPT.    E.    WHEELWRIGHT, 

OF    NEWBURYPORT. 


THESE  pages  are  inscribed  to  you,  ray  dear  grandfather, 
upon  whose  knee,  in  childhood,  I  have  listened  to  those 
tales  of  the  sea,  which  perhaps  have  influenced  me  in  the 
choice  of  an  occupation  that  I  regard  as  the  more  honour- 
able because  it  has  been  yours.  Your  numerous  descend- 
ants, whatever  their  avocations,  can  ask  no  greater  blessing 
than  such  consciousness  of  rectitude  as  is  enjoyed  by  you. 
May  you  long  remain  with  us,  to  witness  that  an  active 
life  of  virtue  is  rewarded  by  a  respected  and  happy  old  age. 

DORCHESTER,  Mass.,  Dec.  1,  1846. 


A    PREFACE 

GENERALLY  amounts  to  an  apology,  so  here  you 
have  it : — 

Most  of  the  contents  of  this  book,  are  contributions 
for  the  Boston  Journal,  written  for  my  own  amuse- 
ment in  leisure  hours,  at  sea,  when  I  had  no  passen- 
gers, and  the  tedious  hours  of  a  long  India  voyage 
hung  heavily  upon  me.  Such  is  my  excuse  for  writ- 
ing them,  and  my  excuse  for  publishing  them  is — the 
desire  that  they  may  amuse  others.  Most  of  the 
"  yarns  "  are  founded  upon  fact ;  some  are  strictly  true, 
with  the  exception  of  names  of  persons.  Indeed,  the 
only  one  which  cannot  be  included  in  either  of  these 
classes,  is  the  one  for  which  its  soi-disant  narrator 
claims  implicit  credence. 

I  have  one  more  reason  for  intruding  them  upon 
the  public,  which  is,  the  hope  that  the  sentiments 
which  some  of  them  contain,  may  commend  themselves 
to  sailors,  and  to  those  interested  in  the  sailor's  wel- 
fare. 

These  are  all  my  apologies,  and  now,  if  you  please, 
you  may  turn  over  the  leaf. 


A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 


"  A  SAILOR'S  life  is  the  life  of  a  dog."  So  says 
every  old  salt,  and  still  he  persists  in  being 
canine.  The  truth  is,  that  contentment  is  a 
jewel  much  sought  after,  but  seldom  found  :  for 
it  matters  not  what  may  be  the  profession,  trade 
or  occupation  of  any  individual,  he  always  con- 
siders it  as  more  onerous  than  that  of  his  neigh- 
bour. The  three  learned'  professions  are  as 
subject  to  these  remarks  as  any  other  business 
of  the  world  may  be.  When  the  M.D.,  snugly 
ensconced  with  his  wife  and  children  in  bed, 
feeling  as  little  disposition  to  turn  out  as  did  the 
man  of  the  parable  when  importuned  for  a  loaf 
of  bread,  hears  the  alarum  sound  of  his  night 
bell,  and  knows  that  he  must  leave  his  comfort- 
able quarters,  light  his  lantern,  harness  his 
horse,  and  ride  through  rain  and  darkness  for 
miles,  to  help  some  one  into,  or  some  one  out  of 
the  world,  O,  how  he  envies  his  legal  friend,  as 
he  passes  his  closed  shutters,  and  reflects  upon 
2 


14    , 

the  domestic  quiet  that  reigns  within  !  And  with 
what  feelings,  on  the  morrow,  does  this  same 
quiet  lawyer,  while  poring  over  musty  papers 
and  perplexing  his  brain  to  link  together  a  chain 
of  evidence,  supplying  a  shackle  here  and  there 
from  his  own  imagination,  look  out  upon  the 
bright  sun-lighted  street,  and  behold  the  doctor 
riding  along  so  comfortably  and  go  leisurely  in 
his  sulky,  looked  up  to  by  all  as  the  arbitrator 
.of  their  lives — and  then  he  thinks  how  much 
better  had  it  been,  had  he  studied  medicine  ! 
Now  both  these  gentlemen  look  with  more  in- 
vidious eyes  upon  the  parson  than  upon  each 
other  :  "  6,"  say  they,  "  what  a  delightful 
profession  !  so  quiet,  so  free  from  care,  almost  a 
'little  heaven  below' — so  loved  and  respected 
by  every  one — his  salary  annually  paid — enough 
to  support  him,  which  is  all  he  needs — like 
Goldsmith's  hero  : 

'  A  man  he  was  to  all  the  country  dear, 
And  passing  rich  with  forty  pounds  a  year.'  " 

The  poor  parson  says  nothing,  for  he  dares  not; 
but  he  could  say,  "  Go  on  with  your  quotation, 
and  you'll  find  it  as  far  from  applicable  as  that 
you  have  already  uttered  : 

'  Unskilful  he  to  fawn,  or  seek  for  power, 
By  doctrines  fashion'd  to  the  varying  hour.'  " 

All  perhaps  true  in  the  poet's  time,  and  even  in 
England,  now,  where  the  establishment  allows 
a  man  more  liberty  of  conscience  than  he  can 
exercise  in  this  free  and  happy  land.  "No, 


15 


no!"  cries  the  poor  parson,  "  there  are  few  of 
ns.  in  these  days,  that  can  afford  to  be  consci- 
entious and  independent.  We  must  do  as  we 
are  told  to  do.  or  starve  ! " 

So  much  for  what  are  termed  the  learned  pro- 
fessions ;  and  in  every  state  of  life,  the  like 
discontent  and  envy  is  more  or  less  apparent. 
Still  all  seem  to  be  aware  that  "rolling  stones 
gather  no  moss,"  and  mankind  generally,  not- 
withstanding their  complaints,  have  the  good 
sense  left  -them  to  persevere  in  the  occupation 
which  Providence  has  assigned  them,  solacing 
themselves  with  occasional  murmurs  of  discon- 
tent, till  the  close  of  existence,  when,  if  not  be- 
fore, they  come  to  the  sage  conclusion,  that  the 
world,  arid  every  thing  it  contains,  is  one  general 
assortment  of  vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit. 
Then  why  should  not  sailors  call  their  life  "  the 
life  of  a  dog,"  and  growl  accordingly? — and  yet 
why  should  not  we  be  happy  too,  as  other 
complaining  spirits  are?  So  we  are,  and  so  we 
will  be.  "  Away  with  melancholy  !" — over- 
board with  the  foul  fiend  !  Launch  !  and  as 
the  gurgling  waves  of  returning  blithsomeness 
close  over  him,  three  cheers  for  the  gay  goddess 
that  floats  so  lightly  upon  them  ! 

A  sailor's  life  a  dull  life  ?  Who  so  constantly 
employed  as  he?  What  a  mistaken  idea  is  en- 
tertained of  this  on  shore  !  People  imagine  that, 
once  clear  of  port,  there  is  little  or  nothing  to  be 
done,  but  quietly  to  watch  the  course  of  the 


16  A  SAILOR'S  LIFE. 

vessel — to  saunter  about  the  decks,  and  do  what 
each  one  lists,  or  do  nothing  at  all,  which  latter 
is  looked  upon  as  a  very  happy  state  of  exist- 
ence. Nothing  to  do  ?  Idleness  ?  The  devil's 
own  darn  !  It  has  ruined  many  on  shore,  but, 
depend  upon  it,  it  will  never  ruin  sailors  in  the 
merchant  service.  There  is  always  enough  to 
be  done — refitting,  setting-up,  turning-in,  splic- 
ing, rattling  down  and  tarring  rigging,  strapping 
blocks,  keeping  chafing  gear  in  order,  sail- 
making,  scraping,  scrubbing,  painting — all  these 
are  some  of  the  constant  and  numerous  employ- 
ments on  board  of  a  ship.  These  may  be  made 
onerous  by  useless  work,  but  still  there  is 
enough  to  keep  all  hands  usefully  employed  on 
the  longest  voyages.  And  then  on  board  of  all 
well-regulated  ships,  there  is  time  given,  and 
books  furnished,  for  reading,  and  improving  the 
mind ;  and  more  knowledge  is  often  acquired  in 
these  precious  moments  than  if  abundance  of 
time  were  at  disposal.  They  are  sweet,  like 
stolen  fruit.  Good  appetites  and  sound  sleep 
follow ;  and  though  day  after  day  has  its  usual* 
round  in  these  respects,  the  young,  seaman  feels 
that  he  is  improving  in  his  calling,  and  qualify- 
ing himself  for  a  higher  station,  while  all  look 
forward  with  pleasing  anticipations  to  their  ar- 
rival abroad,  and  with  anticipations  tenfold 
more  pleasing,  to  their  return  'to  their  homes. 
Tyrannical  officers  and  quarrelsome  shipmates 
often  mar  these  sources  of  enjoyment,  but  not 


17 


as  they  did  once  :  for  the  former  are  beginning 
to  discover  that  the  law  of  love  is  more  powerful 
than  the  "  cat,"  and  the  latter  are  fast  escaping 
from  the  thraldom  of  intemperance,  which  has 
been  a  more  cruel  despot  over  them  than  was 
ever  tyrant  of  flesh  and  blood. 

The  sailor's  fare  is  often  hard  ?  Well,  so  it 
is,  and  shame  to  some  of  his  employers  for  it ; 
but  let  good  be  returned  for  evil,  and  let  us  wish 
them  no  greater  ill  than  to  be  obliged  to  feed 
upon  the  like — and  at  the  same  time,  wish  them 
the  ability  to  digest  it,  which  can  only  be  derived 
from  health,  and  which  in  its  turn  is  a  conse- 
quent of  exercise  and  cheerfulness.  "  A  con- 
tented mind  is  a  continual  feast."  Their  minds 
might  be  somewhat  more  contented,  if  their  dis- 
positions were  more  liberal.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
we  have  determined  to  be  contented,  come  what 
will !  It  is  hard  to  be  roused  from  a  snug  berth, 
after  having  accomplished  a  good  day's  work, 
and  already  stood  a  four  hours'  watch  ; — for  but 
just  now  we  had  turned  in,  after  shifting  our 
«jvet  clothes,  and  putting  on  the  last  dry  flannels 
in  our  chests.  We  had  resolved  upon  one  good 
four  hours'  watch  below,  and  had  already  begun 
to  carry  out  this  resolution.  Who  sleeps  so 
sound  as  the  sailor,  for  who  has  earned  a 
sounder  sleep  ?  Nor  is  it  sleep  alone — a  cheer- 
ful smile  rests  on  his  weather-beaten  face — his 
happy  spirit  has  left  it  there,  and  then  taken 
wings  and  flown  away  for  a  time,  leaving  its 


18 

easily  disordered  companion  to  be  retimed  by 
repose.  Now  travels  the  mind  upon  the  wings 
of  imagination,  to  which  fleet  messenger  thous- 
ands of  leagues  are  as  nothing,  arid  distance  is 
a  thing  unknown.  In  an  instant  the  spirit  is  at 
home.  Home  ! — who  ever  speak  or  think  that 
word  without  emotions  of  pleasure?  But  to  the 
sailor,  it  is  invested  with  charms  such  as  no  one 
else  can  feel,  or  can  scarcely  imagine. 

Yes,  dearest  home  !   they  only  know 
How  sweet  thy  joys  to  wand'rers  are, 
Who  distant  from  thy  portals  go  ! 
Our  morning  sun — our  evening  star — 
Still  shine  upon  our  rugged  way, 
And  cheer  our  oft  desponding  hearts  ! 
There's  joy  in  every  peaceful  ray 
Thy  living  light  on  us  imparts  ! 

In  the  midst  of  these  sweet  dreams,  while  yet 
in  the  embraces  of  parents,  brothers  and  sisters, 
arid  perhaps  of  some  one  else,  three  heavy 
stamps,  and  an  unwelcome  voice — "All  hands 
ahoy  !  bear  a  hand  up  and  reef  topsails  ! " — call 
back  the  truant  spirit  to  its  deserted  dwelling, 
and  mind  and  body  are  obliged  to  combine  their 
energies — the  former  gradually  being  made  con- 
scious of  the  stern  'reality  which  the  latter 
speedily  is  acquainted  with,  by  the  cold  sleet, 
penetrating  the  skin.  This  is  hard ; — but  to 
youth,  health  and  strength,  even  this  is  not 
unmixed  with  pleasure.  The  excitement  is 
pleasure — and  who  talks  of  the  entire  monotony 
of  a  life  upon  the  ocean,  and  says  there  is  no 


19 

excitement  in  it?  He  knows  nothing:  for  there 
is  excitement  enough  in  watching  the  angry" 
sky,  the  combing  sea  sparkling  in  the  dark 
nig^t  as  every  drop  of  the  briny  deep  teems 
with  bright  existence — the  vivid  lightning  shoot- 
ing madly  through  the  threatening  heavens, 
while  the  tempest  now  whistles  among  the 
creaking  spars  and  rigging;  and  now  bellows  in 
unison  with  the  foaming  surges.  No  excitement 
in  this  ?  O,  there  is  ! — such  as  even  the  prince 
of  poets  could  not  feel  when  he  stood  in  view 
of  the  "majestic  mountains  of  Switzerland," 
and  exclaimed — 

"  The  sky  is  changed  ! — and  such  a  change  !     O  night, 
And  storm,  and  darkness,  ye  are  wondrous  strong, 

Yet  lovely  in  your  strength,  as  is  the  light 
Of  a  dark  eye  in  woman  !     Far  along, 

From  peak  to  peak,  the  rattling  crags  among, 

Leaps  the  live  thunder  !     Not  from  one  lone  cloud, 

But  every  mountain  now  hath  found  a  tongue, 
And  Jura  answers,  through  his  misty  shroud, 
Back  to  the  joyous  Alps,  who  call  to  her  aloud  !  " 

There  he  stood,  safe  upon  the  solid  land,  and 
paid  to  nature  this  immortal  tribute  of  a  death- 
less song — yet  standing,  as  it  were — 

"  Amid  the  wreck  of  matter  and  the  crush  of  worlds  !  " — 

a  mere  looker-on,  how  conscious  he  must  have 
felt  of  his  own  weakness  and  insignificance. 
Fain  would  he  have  been 

"  A  sharer  in  the  fierce  and  far  delight, 
A  portion  of  the  tempest  and  of  thee." 

But  taking  part  in  this  elemental  warfare  as 
the  sailor  does,  knowing  that  he  is  contending 


20 

against  the  rage  of  nature,  and  trusting  to  come 
off  victorious,  as  he  has  done  before,  from  the 
fearful  strife — can  this  but  complete  an  excite- 
ment never  to  be  felt  but  by  those 

"  Whose   march  is  on  the   mountain  wave, 
Whose  home  is  on  the  deep  !" 

Such  is  a  sailor's  life,  or  rather,  such,  you  will 
say,  is  the  poetry  of  his  life  ;  but  sad  is  the  real- 
ity of  the  sailor's  death. 

To  die  upon  the  ocean,  far,  far  from  home  and 
friends,  with  none  of  the  soothing  accompani- 
ments that  smooth  the  rough  passage  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death — these  soft 
alleviations  are  a  mother's  tenderness  and  a  sis- 
ter's care  !  Oh,  these  are  wanting  to  the  poor 
sailor,  as  he  writhes  in  agony  upon  his  hard 
berth-boards,  in  the  damp,  pent-up  forecastle, 
with  no  one  to  cheer  his  fainting  spirit  and  his 
dying  groans,  sometimes  responded  to  with  blas- 
phemy, to  stop  his  cries.  This  is  no  exaggera- 
tion. They  tell  you  of  the  nobleness  and  gene- 
rosity of  the  sailor :  but  go  among  them  in  the 
forecastle  to  learn  of  their  depravity.  Believe 
not  the  plausible  stories  of  those  whose  little  ex- 
perience, strong  prejudices,  and  interested  mo- 
tives, would  lead  you  to  believe  that  all  the  sail- 
or's misery  at  sea  is  the  consequence  of  brutal 
treatment  of  their  officers.  Such  things  are  not 
so,  nor  would  the  captain  of  the  Pilgrim  have 
been  thus  abused,  had  not  death  rendered  him 
powerless  in  his  own  defence.  No,  there  is  de- 


A  SAILOR'S  LIFE.  21 

pravity  in  the  sailor's  heart  as  well  as  in  that 
of  the  landsman.  Thank  God  such  scenes  as  I 
was  describing  do  not  often  occur ;  but,  alas,  I 
have  seen  them,  nevertheless.  Still  often  will 
the  sympathizing  tear  be  dropped,  and  the  ready 
hand  of  assistance  be  extended,  to  the  dying 
sailor;  but  what  is  this,  when  exercised  to  the 
utmost  extent  that  the  rough  nature  of  his  ship- 
mates is  capable  of?  What  is  it  to  one  pressure 
of  the  hand,  one  glimpse  of  his  mother?  "Oh," 
he  exclaims,  "she  knows  not  what  I  suffer  now, 
for  if  she  did,  she  would  be  surely  here.  Thou- 
sands of  miles  of  fathomless  depths  between  us 
would  not  keep  her  away.  By  some  means  she 
would  come  to  the  side  of  her  dying  son.  And 
then  I  should  die  happier.  Oh  !  mother  !"  And 
he  dies  with  that  blessed  name  upon  his  lips, 
which  will  be  a  passport  for  his  soul  through  the 
realms  of  space,  and  to  the  throne  of  God! 
What  a  charm  is  there  in  that  word ! 

It  brings  me  again  to  infancy's  pleasures, 

Sweet  home,  with  its  sweetest  allurement  I  see, 

Oh,  I  ask  not  of  earth  aught  else  of  its  treasures, 
Such  thoughts  of  my  home  are  riches  to  me. 

"  My  mother  !"     Dear  mother,  I'll  never  forget  thee, 
Whenever,  wherever,  on  earth  I  may  roam  ; 

Cares  my  encircle,  temptations  beset  me, 

Their  power  shall  all  vanish  at  thoughts  of  my  home. 

From  infancy's  dawn  to  manhood's  progression, 
The  object  I've  been  of  thine  unceasing  care, 

And  often  for  me  what  blest  intercession, 

Has  risen  to  heaven  in  my  mother's  fond  prayer. 

2* 


22 

If  the  prayer  of  tVie  fervent  is  more  than  another, 

In  the  ear  of  the  High  and  Infinite  One, 
May  he  listen  to  thine,  my  own  dearest  mother, 

As  often  poured  forth  for  thy  wandering  son ! 

Need  I  offer  excuses. for  this  simple  tribute  to 
her?  'T  is  because  my  pea  would  follow  my 
thoughts,  that  I  have  thus  written.  And  many 
a  brother  sailor's  thoughts,  I  well  know,  are  the 
same.  It  is  in  indulging  such  feelings  as  these, 
that  often  a  middle  watch  is  spent  at  sea.  And 
if  death  should  overtake  us  in  such  a  frame  of 
mind,  he  will  find  our  last  thoughts  on  earth 

worthy  of  beins^  those  nearest  to  heaven. 
I 


NATHAN  SMITH; 

OR,  THE  MAN  THAT  WAS  LAUGHED  AT. 


u  UNCLE  Jonas,  I  can't  stand  it  any  longer; 
and  what's  more,  I  won't !  "  This  exclamation 
proceedsd  from  the  mouth  of  Nathan  Smith. 
The  there  and  then  was  under  the  roof  of  his 
uncle,  in  the  interior  of  Vermont,  on  the  second 
day  of  November,  1830. 

"Can't  stand  what,  you  impudent  rascal ?" 
demanded  his  affectionate  relation. 

1  Can't  stand  what  ?"  was  re-echoed  in  a  shrill 
tone  by  his  indulgent  aunt. 

"  Why,  I  can't  stand  like  a  docked  colt  tied 
up  in  a  stall,  as  I  am  here.  Now  here  I  am 
seventeen  years  old,  and  you  keep  me  drudging 
and  digging,  and  give  me  no  chance  to  learn 
anything,  so  that  every  body  laughs  at  me." 

"Who  laughs  at  you?"  asked  Mr.  Jonas 
Smith. 

"  Why,  amongst  others,  J — J — Jane  Beaton  ! 
1  won't  stand  it,  I  say,  I'm  going  to  sea  !  " 


24  NATHAN    SMITH. 

Having  given  vent  to  the  thoughts  which  had 
been  long  working  in  his  inner  man,  Nathan 
stood  resolutely,  fully  expecting  torrents  of 
wrath  and  floods  of  tears — but  he  found  that 
Jane  was  not  the  only  one  who  laughed  at  him, 
for  his  worthy  relatives,  at  this  speech,  indulged 
in  the  most  obstreperous  merriment,  and  said, 
they  "  would  like  to  see  him  do  it."  They  soon 
left  the  kitchen,  however,  much  to  his  relief, 
telling  him  to  finish  boiling  the  potatoes,  and  to 
feed  the  pigs,  before  he  went  to  sea. 

"  They'd  like  to  see  me  do  it,  would  they  ?  " 
soliloquized  the  youth,  when  left  alone.  "  Well, 
I'll  be  an  obedient  boy ;  I'll  boil  the  potatoes 
and  feed  the  pigs,  and  then  I'll  go  to  sea." 

Now  old  Mr.  Smith  was  a  good  farmer;  he 
could  bring  up  com  and  potatoes  better  than  he 
could  bring  up  children ;  and  the  knowledge  and 
breeding  of  his  nephew  was,  as  he  has  hinted, 
much  too  confined ;  but  it  is  probable  that  the 
young  man  would  not  have  discovered  it  had  it 
not  been  that  Jane  Beaton  laughed  at  him. 
Good  gracious,  what  things  are  women  !  You 
can't  stand  their  laughing,  you  can't  stand  their 
crying — you  can't  stand  any  thing  they  do  ! 
They  just  heave  their  grappling  irons,  and  you 
are  fast.  A  Saccarapper  might  just  as  well  try 
to  get  away  from  a  Baltimore  clipper.  That's 
the  way  they  do  before  marriage.  If  they  keep 
it  up  after  they  are  spliced3  matrimony  must  be 
an  awful  thing — very  ! 


NATHAN    SMITH.  25 

It  was  nearly  dark  when  Nathan  had  boiled 
the  potatoes  and  fed  the  pigs  for  the  last  time. 
He  then  proceeded  to  his  garret,  and  dressed 
himself  in  his  "  Sunday- go- to-meetings,"  made 
a  bundle  of  his  remaining  effects,  and  bade 
adieu  to  home.  But  it  was  not  easily  done. 
Notwithstanding  the  joy  of  escaping  from  his 
uncle's  petty  tyranny,  the  remembrance  of  some 
sunshiny  spot's  in  his  childhood  stole  over  him, 
and  it  was  his  home  after  all.  He  had  no  other. 

As  he  looked  back  upon  the  black  walls  of  the 
building,  he  half  repented;  but  just  then  his 
uncle's  voice  reached  his  ear:  " He  go  to  sea! 
What  sort  of  a  sailor  would  he  make?  He's 
good  for  nothing  any  where  !  " 

Nathan  turned  his  back  and  walked  rapidly 
away,  but  not  as  yet  to  the  main  road.  There 
was  a  house  near  by,  where  lived  a  certain 
'Squire  Beaton,  and  it  seems  that  Nathan  had 
some  business  there  yet  to  transact.  He  ap- 
proached it  with  a  very  awkward  feeling,  and 
proceeded  to  reconnoitre  through  the  windows 
before  attempting  an  entry.  A  crackling  fire 
burned  on  the  hearth.  The  old  'Squire  sat  read- 
ing the  newspaper  aloud  to  Mrs.  Beaton,  who 
was  busily  employed  at  her  knitting,  and  to 
another  lady,  who  engrossed  all  the  attention  of 
our  spying  visitor.  If  you  had  been  looking  in 
that  window,  you'd  have  called  her  "  sweet 
sixteen,"  and  acknowledged  that  you  never  saw 
more  rosy  cheeks  and  luxuriant  hair,  and  you'd 


26  NATHAN    SMITH. 

have  wondered  what  made  those  roguish  eyes 
dance  so  with  seeming  delight.  ' 

"  Laughing  at  me  now  !  I'll  bet,"  thought 
Nathan  ;  "  but  I  will  say  good-bye  to  her."  So 
he  laid  his  bundle  down  by  the  fence,  and 
knocked  at  the  door. 

"  Come  in !  "  cried  the.  full  voice  of  the  old 
'Squire,  and  at  the  same  instant  his  blooming 
daughter  jumped  to  open  the  door  for  the  visitor. 

"Why,  Nathan  Smith!"  exclaimed  she; 
"Why  need  you  knock?  I  was  just  thinking 
about  you  !" — but  a  blush  came  over  her  face 
as  she  added,  "at  least  mother  was  saying 
something  about  you." 

"I  thought  so,"  replied  the  young  man :  "I 
thought  you  were  laughing  at  me." 

"You  did,  sir?"  answered  Jane,  becoming 
suddenly  sedate,  "and  how  did  you  know  I 
was  laughing  at  all  ?  " 

"  Jane,  Jane!"  cried  Mrs.  Beaton,  "  do  come 
in ;  who  in  the  world  are  you  talking  with  so 
long  in  the  entry?" 

The  young  lady  speedily  obeyed  this  sum- 
mons, followed  by  Nathan,  assuring  her  mama 
that  she  "wasn't  saying  any  thing  to  any  body, 
only  that  the  door-handle  is  so  hard  to  turn." 

"Yes,  very!"  said  her  father;  "Jane,  I 
wasn't  born  yesterday" — and,  without  raising 
his  eyes  from  the  newspaper,  he  added,  "  Good 
evening,  Nathan;  walk  in  and  sit  down." 

He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  after  answer- 


NATHAN    SMITH.  27 

ing  the  old  people's  questions  in  regard  to  the 
welfare  of  his  uncle  and  aunt,  then  came  a  pause 
which  no  one  saw  fit  to  interrupt.  In  the  mean 
time  his  eyes  wandered  toward  Jane,  who  was 
amusing  herself  with  rolling  up  a  bright  ribbon 
which  she  seemed  so  anxious  to  exhibit  that  she 
at  length  asked,  "  Well,  Mr.  Nathan,  what  do 
you  think  of  this,  and  who  do  you  think  gave  it 
tome?" 

"Ned  Saunders,  I  think  likely,"  replied 
Nathan. 

"  So  it  was — how  good  you  are  at  guessing  ! 
what  a  nice  fellow  Ned  is  !" 

Poor  Nathan  !  he  knew  no  more  about  a  wo- 
man then  than  he  did  about  a  ship,  or  he  would 
have  interpreted  this  as  "I  don't  care  a  bit  for 
Ned,  but  only  say  so  to  make  you  jealous." 
Nathan  certainly  was  jealous  of  the  young  shop- 
keeper, nor  was  this  the  first  instance  of  his  be- 
ing troubled  with  the  green-eyed  monster. 

"  But  what  makes  you  so  dull  this  evening?" 
cried  the  gay  girl,  bursting  into  a  merry  laugh 
as  she  saw  the  effect  the  ribbon  had  produced, 
"  has  anybody  stolen  your  heart  ?" 

He  might  have  said  "yes,"  and  have  laid  his 
hands  as  he  did  his  eyes  upon  the  thief,  but  he 
fetched  a  long  sigh,  and  said,  "Miss  Jane,  I've 
come  to  say  '  Good-bye,'  for  I  am  going  to  sea." 

The  newspaper  and  the  knitting- work  dropped 
simultaneously,  and  the  gay  laugh  ceased  for  an 
instant.  If  Nathan's  eyes  had  not  been  this  mo- 


28  NATHAN     SMITH. 

ment  upon  the  old  people,  who  were  uttering 
various  exclamations-oT  surprise,  he  might  have 
seen  the  colour  forsake  those  blooming  cheeks, 
and  leave  them  paler  than  if  all  the  shopkeepers 
in  Vermont  were  at  the  bottom  of  the  ocean. 
But  for  an  instant  only- — then  her  laugh  redoub- 
led, and  poor  Nathan  thought,  "  how  little  she 
cares  for  me  !" 

"You  may  laugh,"  he  said,  at  length  fairly 
aroused,  "  but  good-bye — you  won't  see  me 
again  till  I  am  Captain  of  a  ship — I'm  sorry  I 
can't  stay  to  Mrs.  Saunders't  wedding." 

This  rather  increasing  the  young  lady's  mer- 
riment, he  seized  his  hat  and  opening  the  door, 
bolted  into  the  road,  followed  by  peals  of  laugh- 
ter, and  "Good-bye,  Captain  Smith!" 

"I  wonder  why  Nathan  should  take  such  a 
fancy  into  his  head,"  said  Mrs.  Beaton  when  the 
door  was  closed,  and  they  were  again  drawn 
around  their  pleasant  fire-side. 

11  It  is  not  at  all  surprising,"  said  the  'Squire ; 
''ever  since  his  parents  died,  and  Jonas  Smith 
took  charge  of  him  in  his  infancy,  he  has  had  a 
hard  time  of  it.  You  shouldn't  have  laughed  at 
him  so,  Jane,  it  was  unkind." 

His  daughter  drew  her  chair  nearer,  and  grasp- 
ing her  father's  knees,  she  looked  into  his  face 
with  those  full  eyes  so  lately  sparkling  with  mer- 
riment, but  now  dimmed  with  starting  tears. 

"Do  you  really  think  he  will  go,  father?" 
she  asked,  in  a  low  and  almost  trembling  voice. 


NATHAN     SMITH.  29 

"Yes,  my  child,  I  do." 

"  Then,"  she  exclaimed,  falling  upon  his  neck 


giving  full  vent  to  her  feelings,  "  Heaven 
protect  him,  and  forgive  me  !" 

The  thoughts  of  the  wanderer  would  have 
been  far  different  as  he  pursued  his  lonely  way 
that  night,  had  he  known  that  his  wakefulness 
was  shared  by  another,  and  that  her  pillow  was 
bedewed  with  weeping  on  his  account. 

Not  many  days  after  this,  a  country  bumpkin 
had  wended  his  way  down  State-street  and  come 
into  view  of  the  shipping  in  Boston  harbor.  He 
had  some  idea  of  what  a  vessel  was,  from  hav- 
ing seen  pictures  of  them,  so  that  he  could  distin- 
guish one  from  a  brick  building  —  nor,  when  he 
approached  nearer,  was  he  so  ignorant  as  one  of 
his  verdant  predecessors  is  said  to  have  been, 
who,  when  he  first  examined  a  vessel,  exclaim- 
ed, "I  snum,  Zeek,  she's  holler!"  But  all  rigs 
were  alike  to  Nathan,  and  he  made  a  bold  push 
for  the  first  craft  in  his  way,  which  happened  to 
be  a  New  York  packet  schooner. 

"Capting,"  said  he,  addressing  one  of  the 
crew,  "you  don't  want  any  green  hands  for  this 
ship,  do  you?" 

This  query  was  answered  by  a  roar  of  laugh- 
ter, and  the  advice  of  the  Captain,  who  stood  on 
the  wharf,  for  him  to  make  application  to  yonder 
schooner,  which  happened  to  be  a  full-rigged 
ship. 


30  NATHAN    SMITH. 

"  Laugh  away,"  thought  our  hero,  "  it  ain't 
so  bad  as  Jane's  ;"  and  nothing  daunted/  on  he 
went  to  the  ship.  "  I'll  be  careful,"  thought  he, 
"  this  time,  and  find  out  who  the  captain  is,  be- 
fore I  ask."  He  therefore  took  a  fair  survey  of 
the  lumpers  and  loafers  about  the  wharf  and  the 
vessel,  and  came  to  the  conclusion  that  no  one  of 
these  could  be  the  captain.  But  at  length  he  es- 
pied a  gentleman  upon  the  quarter  deck,  whose 
back  was  turned  to  him.  He  was  dressed  some- 
what fantastically,  as  he  thought,  wearing  a 
cocked  hat,  and  having  a  flaming  red  collar  to 
his  overcoat,  but  very  likely  that  might  be  his 
uniform.  "Ah,  that  must  be  he,"  said  Nathan 
to  himself,  "however,  I'll  ask  him." 

He  accordingly  passed  over  the  gangway,  and 
walking  towards  the  supposed  captain,  he  said, 
"  Capting  of  this  schooner,  ain't  you?" 

But  he  made  a  hasty  retreat  when  the  big  ba- 
boon turned  sharply  round  upon  him,  chattering 
and  grimacing,  arid  but  for  the  shortness  of  his 
chain,  ready  to  give  him  a  grip  far  from  affec- 
tionate. 

"  Laugh  away,"  cried  Nathan,  as  the  lumpers 
joined  the  baboon,  "  you're  a  set  of  monkeys, 
the  whole  of  ye  !" 

"And  is't  me  for  one,  ye  spalpeen,  that  ye're 
after  calling  a  monkey  ?"  said  one. 

"Shouldn't  wonder  a  mite  if  you  was,"  said 
our  unsuccessful  and  somewhat  angry  applicant. 

"Take  that  then,  for  want  of  a  shillaleh  !" 


NATHAN    SMITH.  31 

said  the  lumper,  giving  him  a  side-winder  with 
his  fist. 

"Don't  want  it,"  replied  Nathan;  "take  it 
back  again  !"  and  down  went  the  fellow,  into 
the  hold. 

Upon  this,  a  dozen  comrades  of  the  fallen 
champion  rushed  upon  our  hero,  seeking  revenge, 
when  a  voice  came  from  the  companion-way : 
"Stop  this,  you  rascals — a  dozen  upon  one  !  Let 
me  see  one  of  you  lay  your  hands  upon  that 
young  man,  if  you  dare,  and  I'll  throw  the 
whole  pack  of  you  into  the  dock !  You'll  find 
that  it's  ABEL  COFFIN,  and  not  the  monkey,  that's 
captain  here. 

"  Let  'em  come,  let  'em  come  !"  cried  Nathan  ; 
"so  you're  Capting,  and  on  my  side — there  ain't 
more  than  a  dozen  of 'em,  and  we'll  lick  'em  all 
into  sawdust. — Here  goes  !"  and  he  was  about  to 
make  a  dive  into  the  midst  of  the  fellows,  who 
had  stood  silently  by,  the  instant  they  were  re- 
buked, but  his  headway  was  stopped  by  the  grasp 
of  a  powerful  right  hand,  which  before  then,  had 
held  a  larger  man  than  him,  at  arm's  length, 
while  another  was  as  firmly  held  by  the  left,  and 
their  heads  knocked  together  till  mutiny  was 
knocked  out  of  them, 

"I  like  your  spirit,  youngster,"  said  he,  "but 
you  are  in  a  passion.  Never  get  angry — keep 
cool — you've  punished  them  quite  enough,  and 
you  need  not  fear  their  troubling  *y°u  again. 


32  NATHAN    SMITH. 

But  what  do  you  want  here,  and  who  sent 
you?" 

"  Why,"  replied  Nathan,  "  the  Capting  of  that 
ship,  there,  said  he  didn't -know  but  you  might 
want  me  aboard  the  schooner,  here." 

Captain  Coffin  smiled,  for  he  saw  how  the  lad 
had  been  imposed  upon.  "What  a  fine  sailor 
you'd  be,"  he  said,  "  not  knowing  the  difference 
between  a  ship  and  a  schooner !" 

"Well,  Capting,"  rejoined  Nathan,  "you 
know  there's  a  beginning  to  every  thing,  creation 
and  all,  and  I  suppose  there  must  be  to  sailors." 

"  There,  Mr.  S ,"  said  the  captain  to  the 

owner,  who  stood  by  his  side,  "hear  what  that 
lad  says :  he's  green  enough,  but  I  wish  Con- 
gress had  as  good  an  idea  in  their  heads  as  that. 
Government  knows  nothing,  or  cares  nothing, 
about  commerce  or  seamen.  I  believe  there's  no 
patriotism  in  Washington.  They  all  look  to  par- 
ties. No  one  dares  propose  a  measure  of  real 
utility,  for  fear  it  should  take  up  too  much  time, 
and  offend  some  one  of  the  same  party  that 
wants  all  day  to  'define  his  position.'  Now,  if 
they  had  the  good  of  a  pretty  extensive  portion 
of  their  country  at  heart,  they  would  enact  some 
law  that  would  make  American  seniors.  See 
how  our  ships  are  manned :  not  one-seventh 
of  the  crews  of  foreign  traders  are  American. 
'Tis  true,  we  are  obliged  to  have  two-thirds  of 
our  crews  protected.  But  what  are  these  pro- 
tections? The  great  majority  are  false,  or 


NATHAN   SMITH.  33 

transferred  from  one  man  to  another,  as  suits  a 
landlord's  convenience.  All  shipmasters  are 
obliged  to  connive  at  this,  for  otherwise  how 
could  we  get  our  crews?  Many  of  these  foreign 
sailors  are  good  ones,  too — ready  made  to  our 
hand.  A  good  Dutch  or  English  sailor  comes 
to  me  with  an  American  protection — he  eats  no 
more  than  a  green-horn,  and  is  a  sailor  for  the 
whole  voyage.  Economy  is  the  order  of  the 
day — I  must  do  as  others  do,  and  I  ship  the  for- 
eigner, knowing  him  to  be  a  liar,  his,landloi$- 
kriowing  it  too,  and  the  custom-house  conniving 
at  it,  while  there  are  hundreds  of  young  men, 
sons  of  our  own  countrymen,  comirig  down  to 
the  wharves  and  willing  to  go  for  nothing.  I'd 
take  my  share  with  pleasure,  if  others  would — 
but  they  won't,  and  nothing  but  a  law  made 
and  enforced,  can  oblige  any  one  to  do  it." 

"Ay,  there's  a  great  deal  of  truth  in  what 
you  say,"  said  Mr.  S..  himself  an'old  shipmaster, 
"but  what  would  you  have  Cgrigress  do?" 

"What  would  I  have  them  $o,  sir?"  said  Cap- 
tain Coffin;  "I'd  soon  teli  tnem ;  why,  in  five 
minutes;  yes,  in  five  minutes,  they  might  confer 
a  lasting  benefit  on  their  country  ;  and  then,  for 
aught  I  care,  they  might  have  the  rest  of  the  ses- 
sion to  make  speeches  and  squabble  about  noth- 
ing. Here's  the  law  I'd  make — I've  had  it  in 
my  head  these  twenty  years.  Every  vessel  for 
every  hundred  tons  shall  carry  one  native  born  ap- 
prentice. That,  sir,  would  make  us  all  equal ; 


34  NATHAN   SMITH. 

would  soon  man  our  ships  with  young  men  of  so- 
briety and  some  education,  instead  of  the  miser- 
able offscourings  of  the  earth ;  with  men  who, 
when  we  are  threatened  with  war,  will  have  an 
interest  in  the  flag  under  which  they  fight,  and 
will  not  see  it  hauled  down  so  long  as  they  can 
raise  an  arm  in  its  defence  !" 

u  Yes,  yes,"  said  Mr.  S.,  "I  have  long  been 
sensible,  too,  that  some  such  law  was  necessary ; 
and  until  there  is  one,  improvement  in  the  char- 
acter of  seamen  in  our  merchant  service  will  be 
much  retarded.  It  is  of  little  use  for  one  or  two 
ship-owners  to  furnish  examples  to  others.  Eco- 
nomy is  a  stronger  principle  with  most  men  than 
patriotism  or  benevolence.  We  must  have  a 
law,  and  one  too  that  shall  not  be  so  easily  evad- 
ed as  the  present  one  in  regard  to  protections. 
However,  I'll  furnish  one  example  in  this  in- 
stance, and  I  rather  fancy  this  lad,  too.  You 
can  ship  him,  if  you  like." 

"Very  well,  sir,,"  replied  Captain  Coffin,  and 
turning  to  Nathan,  he  continued  :  "  Youngster, 
you're  fortunate.  It's  not  every  greenhorn  gets 
a  berth  aboard  of  an  Indiaman  with  so  little 
trouble  as  you  have  done,  especially  after  con- 
founding the  Captain  and  a  monkey  together, 
which  is  not  very  complimentary  to  rne.  As  to 
your  wages,  they  must  be  small,  for  you'll  be 
but  an  encumbrance  for  at  least  the  passage  out." 

'Now.  Capting,"  interrupted  Nathan,  "you've 
giv'n  it  back  to  me !  I'd  rather  be  called  a  mon- 


NATHAN    SMITH.  35 

key  than  that — I  know  I'm  green,  and  I  thank 
you  for  your  k'indness.  I  don't  want  any  wages, 
being  that  this  is  the  first  time,  but  if  I  aint 
riper  before  I  get  back,  serve  me  as  I  did  that 
fellow,  and  call  me  anything  else  but  Nathan 
Smith." 

"  You  shall  have  wages,  my  lad,  if  you  be- 
have as  well  as  I  trust  you  will,"  said  Mr.  S. 
"  If  I  have  boys  at  all  on  board  my  vessel,  I  pay 
them  for  their  work.  The  ship  has  not  yet  dis- 
charged her  homeward  cargo,  and  will  not  be 
ready  for  sea  in  less  than  ten  days.  You  may 
then  join  her." 

Nathan  explained  his  circumstances  in  a  few 
words  to  the  kind  merchant,  asking  liberty  to 
come  on  board  at  once,  and  endeavour  to  make 
himself  useful,  assuring  him  that  he  would  be 
of  no  expense,  having  yet  nine  shillings  left, 
which  would  find  him  in  doughnuts  and  cheese 
for  a  fortnight. 

This  consent  was  readily  given,  and  he  was 
moreover  advised  to  invest  his  funds  in  some 
other  way,  for  his  board  would  be  paid.  Highly 
elated  with  his  success,  he  was  thereupon  turned 
over  to  the  mate,  to  be  formed  and  fashioned 
into  a  sailor. 

"  Upon  my  word,  you  are  quite  a  politician, 
Captain  Coffin,"  said  Mr.  S.,  as  they  walked  up 
the  wharf  together. 

'•  Politician,  sir  !"  exclaimed  Captain  Coffin, 
"  worse  and  worse  :  first  a  monkey  is  mistaken 


36  NATHAN    SMITH. 

for  .me,  and  then  I'm  mistaken  for  a  politician. 
No,  sir,  I  trust  I'm  too  honest  for  that !  But 
I  should  like  to  speak  to  those  lawyers  in  Wash- 
ington once,  if  I  could  clap  a  stopper  on  their 
nonsense  as  neatly  as  you  did  upon  their  Latin 
up  there  in  the  State  House  ;  '  Ja  smokit  tanka,' 
&c. ;  that  Nor- west  Indian  quotation  did  them 
a  deal  of  good,  and  I  wish  I  could  do  them  as 
much  in  Congress." 

"  O,  we'll  send  you  there  yet,"  replied  Mr. 
S.,  acknowledging  the  compliment:  '-'and  after 
you've  carried  your  favourite  project,  what  will 
you  do  next?  "  . 

"I  really  don't  know,"  answered  he ;  "there's 
so  much  overhauling  and  repairing  to  be  done, 
I  shouldn't  know  where  to  begin.  There  is  the 
matter  of  those  foolish  treaties  with  the  Dutch- 
men and  the  Danes  and  the  Swedes,  which  play 
mischief  with  our  trade ;  and  then  there  is  an 
everlasting  row  about  slavery  and  State  rights. 
They  seem  to  think  that  we 'are  so  far  off  in  the 
corner,  that  \ve  are  nobody.  I  wonder  if  we 
would  be  considered  nobody  if  any  fighting 
was  to  be  done?  I  should  like  to  vote  (if  I 
could  get  a  majority  it  would  be  done,  because 
a  majority,  like  the  Pope,  is  infallibly  right)  for 
a  young  earthquake  that  should  crack  the  dirt  all 
round  the  boundary  lines  of  New  JGn gland,  and 
shove  us  off  the  other  side  of  the  Gulf  Stream, 
and  then  see  how  the  rest  of  them  would  work 
ship  without  us.  Well,  sir,  these  are  some  of 


NATHAN    SMITH.  37 


my  politics ;  I  shouldn't  have  mentioned  them 
if  you  hadn't  asked  me." 

"  They  savor  a  little  too  much  of  nullification," 
said  Mr.  S.,  smiling;  "  however,  I  think  you'll 
be  able  to  carry  that  vote,  nearly  as  soon  as  you 
will  that  really  good  and  necessary  law  in  re- 
gard to  seamen.  As  to  that  young  man  who 
has  been  the  means  of  extorting  your  politics,  I 
hope  he  may  turn  out  welL;  and  don't  forget  to 
let  me  know  how  he  succeeds." 

With  this,  our  worthy  friends  parted,  each  on 
his  separate  business. 

How  many  poets  have  written  of  the  ocean, 
yet  how  few  have  done  their  subject  justice ! 
Byron  and  Pollok,  only  have  approached  it. 
But  it  is  not  now  our  purpose  to  contemplate  it 
in  its  magnificence  and  glory,  but  rather  in  the 
contrast  with  which  it  is  regarded  by  the 


luxurious  slave, 


Whose  soul  would  sicken  on  the  heaving  waye." 

Where,  among  ancient  or  modern  poets,  is  a 
worthy  ode  to  sea-sickness?  Andre  Chenier, 
who  wrote  toward  the  close  of  the  last  century, 
was  a  Frenchman,  and  as  such,  admirably  quali- 
fied for  the  task,  filled,  as  we  may  suppose  his 
stomach  to  have  been,  with  soup  bouilli,  frica- 
sees,  ragouts,  pates  des  fois  gras,  and  the  hun- 
dred entremets  which  emanate  from  a  French 
kitchen,  and  which  constitute  so  great  a  part  of 
the  national  glory  at  the  present  day.  But  let 
3 


38  NATHAN    SMITH. 

not  his  ghost  arise  to  haunt  me,  because  of  an 
imperfect  translation : 

Who  can  forget  the  passing  over 
From  Calais  'cross  the  Straits  of  Dover  ! 
Prostrate  upon  the  cabin  floor 
The  trav'ller  lies  with  stomach  sore, 
And  utters  many  groans  pathetic 
While  undergoing  his  emetic  ; 
His  head  is  swimming,  eyesight  is  obscured, 
He  thinks  no  one  the  like  has  e'er  endured. 
He's  like  one  drunk — beneath  the  table- 
He  tries  to  rise,  but  is  unable  ; 
The  ship's  now  rolling — now  she's  jumping — 
His  liver  'gainst  his  heart  is  thumping, 
The  carpet  gets  the  emptied  cargo, 
He  must  discharge,  spite  of  embargo  ; 
His  mind  is  full  of  fancies  drear — 
Shipwrecks  he  sees — death  hov'ring  near — 
But  still  by  fear  he's  not  opprest: 
He  looks  on  death,  expecting  rest ; 
Though  dying  friends  require  his  care, 
Their  woes  he  will  no  longer  share ; 
He  faintly  opes  his  glassy  eye, 
And  prays  that  he  may  likewise  die  ! 

Poor  Nathan  did  not  exactly  wish  to  die,  but 
he  felt,  as  no  one  can  imagine,  unless  they  have 
been  precisely  in  his  situation,  when  the  '(  Gen- 
too,"  with  Boston  light  twenty  miles  astern,  was 
pitching  into  an  ugly  south-east  sea,  which  still 
rolled  into  Massachusetts  Bay,  although  the  east- 
erly storm  had  given  place  to  the  fresh  nor- 
wester,  which  was  fast  driving  them  off  the  coast. 
Confused  thoughts  of  Jane  Beaton,  of  the  com- 
fortable fireside  of  the  good  old  'Squire,  even  of 
Uncle  Jonas  and  his  aunt,  and  a  half-uttered 


NATHAN   SMITH.  39 

wish  that  he  was  hoiling  potatoes  for  the  pigs, 
flitted  through  his  distempered  brain. 

The  passenger,  if  sea-sick,  can  retire  to  his 
cabin,  throw  himself  into  his  berth,  and  lie  on  his 
back  till  he  gets  well  again.  But  it  was  not  4so 
with  Nathan.  None  have  any  sympathy  for  a 
youngster  that  is  sea-sick.  They  forget  all  about 
having  been  so  themselves ;  or  if  they  remember 
it,  it  is  only  to  prompt  them  to  play  the  same 
jokes  on  others,  which  they  themselves  once 
had  to  bear. 

"I  say,  Chips,"  said  an  old  tar  to  the  carpen- 
ter, "don't  you  want  some  chalk?  'cause  if  you 
do,  just  knock  off  a  piece  from  that  boy's  face." 

"Johnny  Raw,"  said  another,  "does  your 
mother  know  you  are  out?" 

"  Now  knock  off  plaguing  the  boy,  will  you  ?" 
said  one  more — "  How  do  you  feel,  Nathan  ? 
can't  you  take  anything  that  would  do  you 
good?" 

The  soft  tone  in  which  this  was  uttered,  cheer- 
ed his  heart,  as  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  if  you  could 
tell  me  of  any  thing  !" 

"  Well,  I  can,"  said  his  sympathizing  friend  ; 
"just  you  bend  a  ropey arn  onto  a  piece  of  salt 
pork,  and  swallow  it ;  so  keep  hauling  it  up  and 
down,  till  your  insides  are  well  swabbed  out  ! " 

This  was  the  unkindest  cut  of  all,  and  did 
not  fail  to  produce  its  intended  effect. 

"Come,  come,  boy,  what  are  you  doing  there, 
looking  over  the  side?"  bawled  the  second  mate, 


40  NATHAN    SMITH. 

"  get  a  broom  and    sweep   down   the  quarter 
deck." 

As  Nathan  was  employed  in  executing  this 
order,  the  captain  accosted  him  in  a  really  kind 
voice.  "  Well,  Smith,  my  lad  ;  I  know  you  feel 
badly,  but  don't  be  discouraged.  Remember, 
if  you  do  your  best,  I'm  your  friend,  and  that's 
a  good  deal  on  board  of  a  ship ;  and  Mr.  S.  is 
your  friend,  and  that's  a  fgood  deal  in  Boston. 
Just  remember  what  I  say,  and  keep  these  two 
words  in  your  mind — Go  ahead  !  " 

What  an  effect  has  a  word  of  encouragement 
from  the  mouth  of  one  who  has  the  power  to 
give  it !  Captain  Coffin  had,  (to  use  a  cant 
phrase,)  "  worked  his  own  way  up."  He  had 
undergone  many  buffetings,  and  had  met  with 
little  kindness  from  others  :  and  now,  instead  of 
retaliating  upon  his  inferiors,  he  knew  the  value 
of  sympathy,  by  having  himself  been  deprived 
of  it,  too  well  not  to  bestow  it  upon  those  under 
his  command.  Still,  he  used  little  familiarity 
with  his  men.  His  discipline  was  strict — even 
severe.  He  never  unnecessarily  over- worked 
his  crew,  but  never  allowed  watch  and  watch — 
observing  that  it  gave  men  so  much  time  that 
they  did  not  set  a  just  value  upon  the  article. 
But  the  forenoon  watch  below  was  always  al- 
lowed, and  so  was  the  afternoon  of  Saturday, 
that  there  might  be  no  excuse  for  neglect  of 
cleanliness  upon  the  Sunday.  On  that  day  no 
work  not  absolutely  required  by  necessity  was 


NATHAN    SMITH.  41 

done.  The  Church  prayers  were  read,  and 
books  were  furnished  from  the  cabin  to  all  who 
wished  to  read.  Nor  did  that  strict  disciplina- 
rian find  that  his  authority  was  the  less  respect- 
ed for  this  course. 

There  are  a  class  of  men,  who  imagine  that 
they  must  always  dress  their  countenances  with 
a  frown  when  speaking  to  a  sailor ;  and  that 
obedience  is  more  readily  ensured  if  their  orders 
are  accompanied  with  a  few  oaths,  and  some 
spicy  blackguardism,  illustrations  of  which 
would  disgrace  the  press.  But  one  of  the  most 
common,  most  disgraceful  to  themselves,  and 
annoying  to  the  person  addressed,  is  a  curse, 
coupled  with  the  insinuation  that  his  maternal 
ancestor  was  a  quadruped.  The  phrase  will  be 
readily  called  to  mind  by  those  who  use  it,  and 
have  heard  it  used.  No  wonder  a  sailor's  life 
is  called  "a  dog's  life  !"  Such  officers  are  gen- 
erally detested  and  despised — seldom  feared, 
and  never  respected.  They  may  occasionally 
keep  up  an  appearance  of  discipline  by  brute 
force,  but  work  is  not  done  "  with  a  will,"  and 
of  course  is  not  done  so  quick  or  so  well. 

We  would  not  be  understood  to  say  that  se- 
verity, and  sometimes  great  severity,  is  never  to 
be  used  :  for  there  are  men  so  stupid,  so  brutish, 
that  they  cannot  be  reached  by  kindness,  and  to 
whom  irons  and  the  cat  must  be  applied.  And 
this  must  be  the  case  so  long  as  our  merchant 
service  is  allowed  to  consist  chiefly  of  foreigners. 


42  *'      NATHAN    SMITH. 

Democracy  may  perhaps  succeed  on  shore ;  but 
at  sea,  nothing  short  of  absolute  authority  will 
preserve  order.  There  is  a  disposition  in  juries 
to  think  otherwise,  and  too  readily  to  believe  the 
forged  or  exaggerated  tales  of  a  crew  which  are 
incited  by  a  landlord,  and  dovetailed  together 
by  some  ingenious  scoundrels  who  disgrace  the 
name  of  lawyers — men  whom  I  could  point  out 
as  having  become  rich,  solely  by  getting  up  these 
complaints,  and  dividing  the  profits  wrung  from 
defendant  and  plaintiff,  with  the  sailor  landlords  ! 
Cases  are  brought  forward  by  these  men,  that 
never  would  have  been  dreamed  of  by  the  sai- 
lors. Men  are  told  what  to  testify  to,  by  having 
the  desired  testimony  repeated  over  to  them  ver- 
batim, till  it  is  committed  to  memory  ;  and  they 
are,  as  far  as  possible,  put  on  their  guard  against 
cross  questioning.  Now,  gentlemen  of  the  jury, 
just  recollect,  for  I  state  it,  believing  it  as  fully 
as  I  do  that  the  sun  will  rise  to-morrow  morning, 
in  more  than  one-half  of  these  cases,  the  dama- 
ges you  render  to  the  plaintiffs,  do  not  benefit 
those  plain  tiffs  one  dollar,  but  are  the  hard-earned 
wages  of  a  captain  or  officer,  gone  to  feed  the 
hungry  maws  of  two  greedy  cormorants — ajaw- 
yer  and  a  landlord.  And  even  these  are  but  a 
small  part  of  their  unrighteous  gains.  A  far 
greater  proportion  consists  of  sums  their  victims 
are  generally  willing  to  pay  them  outright,  to 
avoid  the  vexations  and  expense  of  lawsuits. 
I  make  no  apology  to  the  "gentle  reader"  for 


NATHAN   SMITH.  43 

this  digression.  If  it  does  not  interest  him,  he  is 
not  the  reader  whose  attention  I  wish  to  obtain, 
and  he  may  turn  over  to  the  advertising  columns 
and  read  about  Oak  Hall  or  Sands'  Sarsaparilla, 
for  aught  I  care.  I  don't  write  for  money.  I 
write  partly  for  my  own  amusement,  partly  for 
yours,  partly  to  fill  up  the  spare  room  in  my 
friend  Hawser  Martingale's  paper,  and  partly 
with  the  hope  of  pleasing  and  benefiting  that 
class  of  men  to  which  I  am  proud  to  belong. 
Nor  will  it  be  a  waste  of  ink  and  paper,  if  I  can 
point  out  to  them  their  enemies,  and  induce 
them  to  place  confidence  in  their  friends.  There 
are  many  who  imagine  themselves  to  be  the 
sailor's  friends,  who  really  do  him  harm,  by  giv- 
ing him  a  deal  of  their  sympathy  for  the  tyran- 
nical treatment  they  imagine  him  to  experience 
at  sea.  Their  sympathy  runs  ahead  of  their 
knowledge. 

I  was  speaking  of  discipline.  Many,  from  the 
natural  benevolence  of  their  own  hearts,  think  it 
is  too  hard  ;  that  too  much  power  is  given  to  the 
master,  and  that,  at  any  rate,  flogging  should  be 
dispensed  with  by  law.  Do  that,  and  it  is  at 
once  the  subversion  of  all  order.  God  forbid 
that  it  should  be  often  resorted  to,  but  it  must  re- 
main in  the  statute  books,  that  the  fear  of  it  may 
deter  from  evil.  Will  not  irons  do  as  well  in  all 
cases  ?  No,  men  do  not  always  feel  the  disgrace 
of  this  punishment;  besides,  it  cannot  be  always 
resorted  to,  because  often  the  loss  of  one  man 


44  NATHAN    SMITH. 

taken  off  from  active  duty  is  seriously  felt  in  a 
small  crew.  Moreover,  the  experiment  has  been 
tried  in  the  English  merchant  service,  and  the 
result  is  known  to  every  nautical  man.  There 
is  no  such  thing  as  good  order  and  discipline  on 
board  of  their  ships,  while  those  of  our  nation 
are  generally  remarked  all  the  world  over,  for  the 
comparative  quietness  that  exists  among  the  men- 
True  it  is,  that  the  laws  favouring  good  order 
may  be  abused,  and  made  an  excuse  for  tyran- 
ny, yet  we  can  but  think  that  such  cases  occur 
much  less  frequently  than  many  imagine.  If 
officers  would  be  careful  to  "order  their  own 
conversation  aright,"  they  would  seldom  be  called 
upon  to  enforce  severe  penalty,  and  often  no 
punishment  at  all. 

"Now,  Mr.  Davenport,"  continued  Captain 
Coffin,  "call  all  hands  aft  and  divide  the 
watches." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  said  the  mate;  "  lay  aft  here, 
every  body." 

They  were  accordingly  mustered,  and  after 
the  division  had  been  made,  they  looked  up  to 
the  captain,  expecting  the  customary  speech. 
"I'm  not  used  to  preaching  long  sermons," 

said  he,  in  a  low,  but  distinct  voice.     "  All  is 

Do  your  duty  and  you'll  fare  well ;  but  if  you 
don't/'    he  added  in   a  voice  of  thunder,  and 
struck  his  brawny  fist  upon  the  companion  way, 
"  Remember ',  /  am  ABEL  COFFIN." 
Our  friend  Nathan  went  forward  with  the  rest. 


NATHAN    SMITH.  45 

Various  were  the  opinions  expressed  in  the  fore- 
castle, as  to  the  character  of  the  "Old  Man,'' 
and  various  were  the  plans  proposed  for  getting 
round  him.  Nathan  had  a  plan  of  his  own,  and 
it  was,  to  "Go  ahead!"  It  was  this  that  anima- 
ted him,  and  though  sea-sickness  for  a  time  held 
on,  the  desponding  thoughts  which  he  had  be- 
gun to  indulge,  vanished  like  morning  mists  be- 
fore the  sunshine — the  sunshine  of  Hope.  He 
resolved  to  cast  no  lingering  look  behind,  but  to 
leave  all  care  and  regrets  astern,  as  readily  as  the 
good  ship,  aided  by  the  freshening  breeze,  sunk 
the  dim  land  in  the  distance. 

In  a  surprisingly  short  time  his  greenness  wore 
off.  We  will  not  follow  him  step  by  step,  for  it  is 
enough  to  say,  that  before  the  outward  passage 
was  completed,  he  had  not  only  gone  through 
the  elementary  branches  of  making  spun-yarn 
and  seanet,  but  could  reef,  hand  and  steer,  and 
cross  or  send  down  a  royal-yard  as  quickly,  and 
in  as  seaman-like  manner,  as  any  man  in  the 
forecastle.  He  received  indeed  his  share  of  ini- 
tiation, for  his  shipmates  would  play  a  few 
pranks  upon  him ;  but  then  they  were  always 
ready  to  show  him  how  to  do  his  work.  He 
never  forgot  "  Go  ahead  !" 

But  occasionally  when  Nathan  I1,  ad  the  look- 
out at  night,  he  would  pace  the  topgallant  fore- 
castle, and  turn  his  thoughts  towards  home. 
Poor  fellow  !  it  had  few  attractions  for  him.  His 
parents  had  died  before  his  recollection,  and 
3* 

• 


46  NATHAN    SMITH. 

there  were  none  whom  he  could  regard  as  hav- 
ing supplied  their  care.  Still  in  every  heart 
there  is  a  sacred  spot  consecrated  by  nature,  and 
set  apart  for  filial  love  ;  and  when  the  memory 
of  parents  cannot  dwell  there,  the  memory  of 
such  as  are  most  dear,  must  occupy  its  place. 
These  were  to  him,  the  hills,  the  brooks,  the 
trees,  for  these  were  the  companions  of  his 
childhood.  Little  as  such  things  would  dwell 
in  the  minds  of  those  blessed  with  father  and 
mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  they  were  some- 
thing more  than  inanimate  objects  in  the  eyes 
of  the  orphan.  He  had  delighted  to  wander 
among  them  in  the  days  of  his  boyhood.  To 
them  he  had  given  names,  and  with  them  he 
would  sit  for  hours  engaged  in  childish  prattle. 
All  this  came  to  his  recollection,  and  so  he 
thought  of  them  as  of  absent  friends.  But  the 
smile  thus  brought  upon  his  countenance  would 
be  dispelled  when  he  thought  of — Jane.  He 
was  not  one  of  your  sentimental  lovers.  Yet  he 
had  been  in  love,  and  though  he  had  tried  to 
persuade  himself  to  the  contrary,  he  was  still 
in  love.  But  little  thinking  how  ardently  his 
affection  was  returned,  from  the  time  he  left  her 
father's  door,  pained  beyond  endurance  by  her 
conduct,  he  had  fancied  her  the  future  bride  of 
his  rival,  and  had,  therefore,  tacitly  resigned  all 
his  claims.  And  now  ho  endeavoured  to  forget 
her,  and  by  devoting  all  his  energies  to  his  oc-*1 
cupation,  to  drive  every  reminiscence  of  her  from 


NATHAN    SMITH.  47 

his  mind.  At  length  he  fancied  that  he  had  ac- 
complished this,  and  he  began  to  consider  his 
heart  as  his  own.  Ah,  Nathan  !  You  did  not 
know  it,  but  there  was  a  line  well  fast  to  it,  that 
led  all  the  way  to  Vermont,  and  sometimes  it 
would  taughten  and  fetch  such  a  strain  ! 

Perhaps  it  was  well  that  he  was  so  ignorant 
of  himself;  for  if  we  may  believe  concurrent  tes- 
timony, love  is  not  favourable  to  diligence  in  the 
various  pursuits  of  life.  Nay,  young  ladies,  don't 
frown  so.  I  don't  mean  all  love.  I  mean  the 
sentimental,  sighing,  sickening,  dying  love,  that 
takes  possession  of  the  brain  to  the  exclusion  of 
reason  and  common  sense;  but  then  again  I 
don't  mean  to  advocate  its  exact  extreme.  "Will 
you  say  yes  or  no  ?  Speak  quick,  because  I'm 
in  a  hurry  !  " 

The  learned  Dr.  Buchan  classes  love  among 
diseases,  and  Campbell  gives  us  to  understand, 
in  hisV'  Pleasures  of  Hope,"  that  all  mankind 
are  inoculated  with  it  in  youth.  In  some  pa- 
tients it  takes  mildly,  and  has  a  good  effect  on 
the  constitution,  while  in  others  it  is  attended 
with  painful  and  febrile  symptoms.  The  learn- 
ed medical  author  above  quoted,  clearly  conveys 
this  idea,  but  lie  neglects  some  important  distinc- 
tions. The  disease  is  evidently  acute  and  chro- 
nic, sometimes  both.  The  acute,  it  must  be  ac- 
knowledged, is  more  common  in  males,  and 
1  easily  cured,  while  the  chronic  prevails  more 
among  the  female  sex,  and  some  times -proves 


48  NATHAN    SMITH. 

fatal.  But  when  a  patient  is  attacked  with 
acute  and  chronic  together,  there  is  the  greatest 
danger,  and  no  medicine  has  yet  been  found  suf- 
ficiently powerful  to  effect  a  cure.  Then  there 
is  the  inflammatory  kind,  and  lastly  the  periodical, 
and  that  comes  on  in  severe  twinges — patient 
starts  convulsively,  rolls  up  his  eyes  at  the  stars, 
puts  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  and  then  whistles, 
and  so  the  fit  goes  off. 

That  was  the  way  it  troubled  Nathan.  Now, 
then,  "  gentle  "  readers,  by  which  I  mean  here  of 
course  the  ladies,  I  have  inserted  this  episode  for 
you,  instead  of  following  the  hero  of  the  story, 
through  what,  to  you,  might  seem  the  monotony 
of  a  long  voyage.  Love  and  poetry  for  the 
ladies  !  You've  had  a  dose  of  the  former,  and 
now  we'll  consider  that  Nathan  is  on  his  return. 
Let  us  imagine  him  keeping  his  look-out  on  a 
splendid  night,  off  Bermuda,  singing — singing* 
what  1  Come,  I'll  find  the  words  if  you  will 
find  the  tune : 

Thus  lightly  o'er  the  moon-lit  sea, 
O'er  ripples  whispering  with  glee, 
Homeward  bound,  as  blithe  and  gay, 
We  cheerily  pursue  our  way. 
No  clouds  above  th'  horizon  lower 
To  mar  the  beauty  of  the  hour, 
Nature  around,  beneath,  above, 
Breathes  but  the  atmosphere  of  love. 
What  though  the  stormy  winds  may  sweep, 
And  rouse  the  fury  of  the  deep  ? 
And  forked  lightnings  too  may  play 
Where  Cynthia  shed?  her  placid  ray  ? 


NATHAN    SMITH.  49 

When  Nature  frowns  we'll  humbly  bow, 
But  we'll  enjoy  her  smiling  now. 
Oh!  could  we  life  but  thus  enjoy, 
Nor  let  our  coming  ills  annoy, 

By  searching  through  the  future  drear 
T'  anticipate  its  woes — full  near, 
Then  life  were  like  the  ocean's  breast, 
Though  ruffled  oft,  yet  oft  at  rest  ! 

One  day,  after  an  absence  of  a  year,  and 
Nathan  was  aloft,  being  sent  to  loose  the  main 
royal,  "  Take  a  look  round,  Smith,"  said  the 
captain;  "see  if  there  is  any  thing  that  looks 
like  land." 

"Ay,  ay,"  sir;1'  and  in  an  instant  he  cried, 
"Land,  ho!" 

"Where  away?" 

"  Right  ahead,  sir." 

"Keep  her  off  W.  N.  W.,"  said  Capt.  Coffin 
to  the  man  at  the  wheel,  for  it  was  the  high 
land  of  Cape  Cod. 

As  the  after  yards  were  squared  in,  the  good 
ship  seemed  to  participate  in  the  joyful  alacrity 
of  her  crew.  Out  went  the  stun'  sail  booms, 
and  in  a  few  moments  she  was  "shingled  down 
on  fore  and  main,"  and  spanking  away  with  a 
quartering  easterly  wind  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots 
an  hour,  for  Boston  light. 

Landsmen,  you  do  not  know,  you  cannot  ima- 
gine, the  thrill  of  pleasure  which  the  sailor  feels, 
when,  after  a  long  absence,  he  catches  the  first 
glimpse  of  Boston  light!  It  is  the  subject  of 
conversation  and  of  anticipated  joy,  during  the 


50  NATHAN  SMITH. 

whole  voyage.  Often,  when  a  rising  or  a  setting 
star  appears  on  the  verge  of  the  horizon,  comes 
the  exclamation,  "Oh,  if  that  was  Boston  light!" 
It  may  be  said  of  it,  as  the  poet  said  of  home, 

"  Through  cloud  and  sunshine,  calm  and  storm, 

Across  life's  devious  way, 
A  light  to  brighten  and  to  warm 

Each  dark  and  cheerless  day  !  " 

Onward  flew  the  "Gentoo,"  and  in  a  little 
less  than  three  hours,  this  long-desired  sight, 
Boston  light,  was  greeted  by  a  general  shout  of 
joy  as  it  hove  up  at  the  distance  of  fifteen  miles. 
The  wind  had  by  this  time  increased  to  a  gale. 
the  light  sails  having  been  taken  in  and  furled 
soon  after  they  were  set.  Capt.  Coffin  well 
knew  that  they  would  serve  but  for  a  short  time 
— so  suddenly  do  these  snow  storms  come  on  in 
the  bay — but  he  hoped,  by  straining  every  nerve, 
to  gain  the  anchorage  before  it  should  come 
on  in  its  thickness  and  fury.  All  he  asked  no \v 
was  an  hour  or  two  of  clear  weather — and  then 
let  it  snow  for  a  month.  But  the  light  was  just 
discerned,  as  already  mentioned,  and  he  had 
scarcely  time  to  get  its  exact  bearing,  when  the 
full  blast  of  the  gale  came" upon  them,  from  the 
eastward,  accompanied  with  rattling  hail  and 
blinding  snow. 

"Tell  old  Bill  to  take  the  helm,"  said  the 
captain;  "and  now,  Bill,  keep  her  steady  for 
your  life !" 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  said  the  old  tar;    and  taking 


NATHAN    SMITH.  5i 

• 

a  fresh  mouthful  of  the  weed,  he  handled  the 
spokes  as  composedly  as  if  he  was  running  down 
the  trades. 

She  was  now  under  double  reefs,  and  sail  was 
soon  reduced  to  two  topsails,  close  reefed.  On 
she  flew,  with  her  headway  but  little  diminish- 
ed. The  Captain  took  his  station  on  the  jib- 
boom  end.  No  noise  but  that  of  the  whistling 
gale  was  heard,  fore  and  aft.  All  knew  what 
a  fearful  risk  they  were  running,  and  all  eyes 
were  fixed  on  the  steady  old  helmsman,  in  whose 
hands  were  their  lives.  There  he  stood,  unmind- 
ful of  the  storm,  which  beat  upon  him ;  although 
conscious  of  the  responsibility  which  was  his,  he 
had  thrown  down  his  hat,  and  taken  off  his  jack- 
et. Often,  when  scudding  a  ship  in  a  gale, 
another  man  will  be  sent  by  an  officer,  or  comes 
voluntarily,  to  render  assistance  at  the  "lee 
wheel."  One  such  came  now.  It  was  Nathan 
— but  he  had  scarcely  touched  the  wheel,  when 
old  Bill,  without  turning  his  eyes  from  the  com- 
pass, shoved  him  with  one  arm  to  leeward,  say- 
ing,— "  Well  meant,  my  lad ;  but  this  is  no  time 
for  boy's  play — out  of  my  way." 

"Look  in  the  binnacle,  one  of  you,  and  ,see 
what  time  it  is,"  cried  the  captain,  from  his 
place  of  look-out. 

The  word  was  passed  aft,  arid  our  hero,  hav- 
ing just  had  his  services  refused  by  Bill,  cast  his 
eye  upon  the  time-piece,  and  ran  forward  to 
communicate  the  information,  "It  lacks  five 


52  NATHAN    SMITH. 

minutes  of  ten,  sir,"  he  shouted  from  the  night- 
heads. 

"  Come  out  here,  Nathan,"  answered  the 
captain  ;  "  what  time  did  you  say  it  was  ?" 

"  He  repeated  his  answer,  and  was  about  to 
return  inboard,  when  he  was  told  to  remain. 
"  What,  my  lad,  can't  you  keep  a  look-out  as 
well  as  the  'old  man?'  " 

"  I  should  have  been  glad  to,  long  ago,  sir, 
only  I  was  afraid  of  interfering." 

"  Very  well,"  replied  the  captain;  "  don't  be 
afraid  of  that  any  longer,  but  stay  here  with 
me,  and  keep  your  eyes  open.  We  are  not  up 
with  the  light  yet,  by  eight  miles — but  a  good 
look-out  is  never  amiss.  Mr.  Davenport !  " 

"Sir!" 

"Put  the  close  reef  in  the  mizen  topsail,  and 
reef  both  the  courses.  Then  roll  up  the  sails, 
and  let  them  hang  by  the  bunt  gaskets,  with  one 
man  aloft  to  each,  ready  to  drop  at  the  word. 
Then  station  all  the  rest  at  tacks,  sheets  and 
braces,  on  both  sides," 

The  mate  sought  no  explanation  of  this  order, 
but  answered  with  a  cheerful  "Ay,  ay,  sir;" 
and  the  work  was  soon  accomplished — the  men 
at  stations,  and  silence  again  reigned, fore  and  aft. 

The  captain  kept  his  place,  unmoved,  and 
Nathan  tried  to  pierce  the  gloom  of  night,  but 
could  see  scarcely  the  ship's  length,  except  at 
rare  intervals,  when  there  would  be  a  short 
respite  to  the  thickness  of  the  air. 


NATHAN    SMITH.  53 

"  Do  you  see  any  thing,  Nathan?"  asked 
Captain  Coffin,  observing  that  the  lad  was  look- 
ing earnestly  on  the  starboard  bow,  where  his 
eyes  were  also  intently  fixed. 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  think  I  do — there !"  answered 
he,  pointing  with  his  finger  in  the  direction 
where  a  dark  object  was  now  rapidly  becoming 
visible — "Yes,  sir,  it's  a  sail  !*" 

"  Yes,'"  replied  the  captain,  "  and  a  pilot  boat, 
or  I'm  much  mistaken — On  deck  there !  Mr. 
Davenport !" 

"Sir!" 

"  If  that  boat  hails,  make  no  reply  ! " 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  answered  the  officer,  still  not 
questioning  his  superior's  order.  He  knew  not 
the  reason  why  he  had  been  called  upon  to  ex- 
ecute the  former  ones,  and  he  now  wondered  in 
his  own  mind  at  the  singularity  of  the  last.  Not 
take  a  pilot,  when,  if  ever,  a  pilot  seemed  need- 
ed ?  Strange,  indeed  ! — but  he  knew  how  to 
keep  his  thoughts  to  himself,  for  he  was  well 
practised  in  his  duty.  In  another  moment  a 
hail  came  on  the  blast,  all  of  which  that  could 
be  heard  was — "pilot!" — but,  unmindful  of  it, 
the  ship  flew  on,  and  in  an  instant  the  little  boat 
was  shrouded  in  darkness  astern. 

The  reason  of  the  order  in  regard  to  the  sails 
will  soon  explain  itself;  but  the  pilot  was  thus 
refused  command,  because  the  captain  knew  that 
the  boat  must  have  been  lying  to,  and  drifting  pro- 
bably so  long,  that  his  knowledge  of  the  bearing 


54  NATHAN    SMITH. 

light  was  not  equal  to  his  own,  for  he  had  run 
directly  for  it  since  first  seen,  and  its  present 
bearing  would  be  made  more  uncertain  by  the 
loss  of  time  and  the  evolution  of  rounding  to, 
in  order  to  receive  the  pilot  on  board.  Still  it 
was  a  fearful  responsibility  to  take,  for  should 
the  ship  be  lost,  every  one  would  blame  him  for 
having  refused  a  pilot. 

He  pressed  his  hand  upon  his  forehead  for  a 
moment,  with  an  intensity  of  feeling  that  no 
reader  who  has  not  been  placed  in  circumstances 
somewhat  similar,  can  imagine — "  You've  good 
eyes,  my  lad,"  he  said,  '-'to  have  seen  that  boat 
before  I  did — keep  them  wide  open — in  at  least 
half  an  hour  we'll  see  the  light,  or  if  the  tide  has 
played  us  a  trick,  feel  the  Graves,  or  be  on  Nan- 
tasket  beach  !" 

"Oh,  no,  sir,"  answered  Nathan,  emboldened 
by  his  superior's  slight  familiarity,  "  we  shall  get 
in  safe,  I'm  confident !" 

"  Confident  !"  replied  the  Captain,  "  the  young 
are  always  confident — but  why  afe  you  so  now  ?" 

"  I  trust  in  God,  sir!" 

The  Captain  grasped  his  hand,  and  said, 
11  'Tis  a  good  motto,  boy — better  than  the  one  I 
gave  you,  when  we  left  home,  and  which  you 
have  nobly  adhered  to. — Yes,  trust  in  God  !  who- 
ever can  do  that  on  such  a  stormy  night  as  this, 
may  safely  trust  him  for  deliverance  in  every 
storm  of  life — ay,  and  in  the  darkness  of  the 
night  of  death!"  •'-* 


NATHAN    SMITH.  55 

Now  came  the  time  of  hazard.  If  not  affected 
by  the  tide,  the  light  when  seen  again  should  ap- 
pear directly  ahead.  Often,  when  the  snow  falls 
thick  as  at  this  time,  it  is  not  visible  till  the  re- 
volving flash  is  thrown  upon  a  vessel's  deck. 
The  captain  still  maintained  his  place,  but  Na- 
than had  crawled  out  to  the  end  of  the  flying  jib- 
boom,  and  was  gazing  earnestly  around  on  both 
bows. 

"  Light,  ho  !"  shouted  Nathan;  "  I  see  it,  sir, 
broad  on  the  weather  bow !" 

"  Down  helm  !"  cried  the  captain,  jumping  in 
on  deck.  "  Let  fall,  aloft  there!  Brace  up 
sharp,  and  sheet  home !  Down  tacks  and  aft 
sheets  !" 

Had  the  "Gentoo"  been  manned  as  scantily  as 
many  vessels  are,  these  orders  could  not  have 
been  promptly  executed, and  she  would  have  been 
a  wreck  upon  Nantasket  beach,  and  the  lives  of 
the  crew  would  have  been  sacrificed  to  the  cu- 
pidity of  her  owners — but  she  was  well  manned 
and  well  disciplined.  Every  man  knew  his  place, 
and  the  orders  were  in  execution  as  soon  as  ut- 
tered. But  on  the  instant  she  began  to  come  to 
the  wind,  a  fearful  rumbling  sound  was  heard 
under  the  main  chains,  which  had  the  effect  of 
momentarily  paralyzing  all  exertion. 

"Oh,  she's  ashore!"  exclaimed  one  whose 
fright  fairly  overcame  him. 

"  Take  that  for  your  information  !"  roared  the 
stentorian  voice  of  Abel  Coffin — and  as  his  fist, 


56  NATHAN   SMITH. 

with  the  power  of  a  sledge  hammer,  sent  him 
rolling  into  the  lee  scuppers,  he  added,  "  Obey 
your  orders,  every  man  of  you  !" 

At  that  moment  she  felt  the  full  force  of  her 
courses — sails  which  no  common  circumstances 
would  have  justified,  being  given  to  a  ship  in 
such  a  gale — and  as  this  additional  press  of  can- 
vass laid  her  almost  on  her  beam  ends,  her  draft 
of  water  was  lessened  and  she  crawled  off  from 
the  shelving  beach.  "  Keep  her  close  at  it, 
Bill,"  said  the  captain  in  his  usual  tone.  "  How 
does  she  head,  now?" 

"N.  by  E.5  sir." 

"  There's  the  light  about  three  points  under 
our  lee,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Davenport. 

"  Ay,  then  it  bears  N.  N.  W.,  we've  come 
inside  of  the  Hardings,  and  now  must  weather 
the  shoal  off  Point  Alderton.  Watch  the  light 
by  the  compass,  and  let  me  know  when  it  bears 
N.  W.  Keep  her  close  at  it,  Bill !" 

"Close  at  it,  sir!" 

"  Stand  by  the  after  braces." 

"  The  light  bears  N.  W.,  sir,"  said  the  mate, 
in  a  few  moments. 

"  Square  the  main  yard,  and  haul  up  the  main- 
sail ! — Keep  her  right  for  the  light !" 

"  Keep  her  for  the  light,  sir,"  responded  Bill. 

In  a  few  moments  the  ship  had  approached 
so  near  the  light,  that  she  was  exactly  in  mid- 
channel,  and  her  course  was  again  altered. 

"  Lay  the  yards  square  !  keep  her  W.  by  S. 


NATHAN   SMITH.  57 

half  S.,  haul  up  the  foresail,  and  stand  by  to 
clew  up  the  topsails.  Is  your  anchor  all  clear, 
Mr.  Davenport  ?" 

"All clear,  sir!" 

The  ship  once  more  flew  on  as  it  were  through 
a  sea  of  milk,  for  the  breakers  on  every  side  were 
combing  and  hissing  around  her — but  in  a  few 
moments  these  gave  place  to  smooth  water, 
while  the  intervening  land  hushed  the  loud  roar 
of  the  blast,  and  the  noble  ship,  so  late  the  sport 
of  the  elements,  rode  quietly  at  her  anchor — the 
conqueror  of  her  foes  ! 

A  day  or  two  after  the  arrival  of  the  "Gentoo," 
the  crew  were  assembled,  according  to  custom, 

in  the  counting-room  of  Mr.  S ,  to  be  paid 

off.  Their  accounts  were  all  made  out,  and  on 
the  paper  of  each  one,  was  placed  the  exact 
amount  of  money  due  him.  Outside  the  door 
Stood  their  kind  friends,  the  landlords — for  they 
were  not  allowed  to  enter  there,  nor  to  receive'the 
wages  from  orders  signed  by  sailors,  and  signed 
often  too  in  a  drunken  fit.  But  they  were  all 
ready  the  moment  each  man  came  out,  to  handle 
his  cash  and  take  care  of  it  for  him  I  And  they 
do  take  care  of  it,  so  that  it  is  but  little  the 
sailor  ever  sees  of  it  again. 

Let  me  ask,  not  of  sailors,  (for  full  well  do  they 
know,  and  yet  they  seem  unable  to  awake  from 
their  infatuation,)  but  of  people  on  shore,  have 
you  any  idea  of  the  system  of  robbery  that  is 
carried  on  by  these  land-sharks?  Often,  gene- 


58  NATHAN   SMITH. 

rally,  seamen  who  have  been  absent  twelve  or 
eighteen  months,  and  those  who  have  been  paid 
off  from  a  three  years'  cruise  in  a  man-o'-war  to 
the  amount  of  three  or  four  hundred  dollars,  go 
to  sea  again  in  a  fortnight  so  much  in  debt  to 
these  landlords  who  have  "  kept  their  money  " 
for  them,  that  they  are  obliged  to  pay  them  their 
two  months'  advance  !  Were  examples  wanting, 
I  could  pile  them  up  to  the  main-top.  One  is 
enough  just  now. 

Tfrree  years  ago  a  ship  arrived  from  India,  hav- 
ing been  absent  eighteen  months.  Some  three 
weeks  afterwards  I  was  about  to  sail  on  a  for- 
eign trading  voyage  of  uncertain  duration,  of 
from  ten  months  to  two  years.  The  captain  of 
the  ship  lately  arrived,  recommended  his  cook  to 
me,  and  I  accordingly  shipped  him.  We  were 
to  sail  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  and  on  Friday 
evening,  the  cook,  intoxicated,  was  brought 
down  by  his  landlord  and  another  negro,  with 
his  bed  and  chest  in  a  handcart.  I  ordered  the 
cook  and  his  "dunnage"  to  be  passed  on  board, 
and  put  below. 

"Stop  minute,  sir,"  said  the  landlord,  "jus 
you  put  your  name  on  dis  paper  first."  Thus 
it  read : 

"  Captain  and  owners  ship Please  pay  to  the  order 

of s  all  the  wages  that  may  be  due  me  on  the  arrival  of 

the  ,  at  port  of  discharge  in  the  United  States. — Value  re- 
ceived, his 

Signed,  Henry   ><!  Jenkins. 

mark. 


NATHAN    SMITH.  59 

There !  The  scoundrel  had  received  all  his 
wages  for  eighteen  months  in  the  last  ship,  $14 
per  month,  and  would  have,  if  I  accepted  that 
order,  a  claim  for  all  he  might  earn  for  two 
years  at  the  same  rate.  "Value  received!"  and 
what  was  that,  for  all  this  money  earned,  and  to 
be  earned  by  his  hard  toil  1  Three  weeks'  lodg- 
ing in  this  landlord's  house,  during  which  he 
was  so  continually  drunk,  that  he  told  me  after- 
wards, he  could  scarce  remember  having  been 
in  Boston,  much  less  putting  his  mark  to  that 
iniquitous  paper.  I  will  add,  that  the  landlord 
was  so  conscious  of  his  ill  deserts,  that  when  I 
tore  the  paper  and  threw  it  in  his  face,  with  a 
threat  of  immediate  prosecution,  he  passed  up 
Central  wharf  somewhat  more  rapidly  than  usu- 
al, leaving  his  assistant  to  follow  at  leisure  with 
the  handcart.  The  cook's  chest  contained — two 
shirts  and  a  pair  of  duck  trowsers ! 

As  each  man  of  the  "  Gentoo's  "  crew  was 
paid,  his  name  was  checked  on  the  articles,  and 
he  signed  a  receipt  for  the  amount. 

"Nathan  Smith,"  called  the  clerk.     No  reply. 

"Where's  Smith  ?"  asked  the  captain. 

"  I  believe  he  is  on  board  the  ship,  sir,"  said 
one  of  the  men ;  "I  saw  him  there  as  we  came 
down  the  wharf." 

"Go  and  call  him." 

In  a  few  moments  our  hero  made  his  appear- 
ance in  the  counting  room — net  the  green  lad 
that  a  year  before  knew  no  difference  between 


60  NATHAN   SMITH. 

a  ship  and  a  schooner — but  so  much  improved 

that  Mr.  S did  not  recognise  him  till  the 

captain  pointed  him  out. 

"  Ah,  young  man,"  said  he,  "  I'm  glad — very 
glad — to  hear  so  good  an  account  of  you  from 
Captain  Coffin.  Why  didn't  you  come  up  with 
the  rest  to  get  your  pay?" 

"  I  didn't  ship  for  any  wages,  sir,  on  the  arti- 
cles ;  and  though  you  were  kind  enough  to  say 
I  should  have  wages  if  I  earned  them,  I  didn't 
like  to  claim  any,  for  you  and  the  captain  have 
been  kind  enough  to  me  already." 

"  Nonsense,  my  lad,  nonsense;  there's  your 
money,"  replied  Mr.  S.,  pointing  to  a  roll  of  bank 
bills.  "  You  have  the  highest  ordinary's  wages, 
eleven  dollars  a  month;  there's  your  account  for 
twelve  months  and  a  half,  $137  50;  less,  hospi- 
tal money,  $2  50  ;  balance,  $135 — sign  your 
name." 

Nathan  was  utterly  astonished.  "  Are  you  in 
earnest,  sir?"  he  said,  looking  first  at  Mr.  S., 
and  then  at  the  captain. 

"To  be  sure  I  am,"  said  Mr.  S.,  smiling  a* 
the  question. 

"  Well,  sir,  can  I  go  in  the  ship  again  ?" 

"  You  shall  go  in  her  till  you  get  the  command 
of  her,  or  of  one  as  good,  if  you  continue  to  im- 
prove and  conduct  well !" 

Overwhelmed  with  gratitude,  Nathan  could 
scarce  contain  his  feelings.  He  took  up  $35  of 
his  money  in  order  to  supply  himself  with  clothes, 
and  begged  Mr.  S.  to  retain  the  remainder. 


NATHAN    SMITH.  61 

"Open  an  account  with  Nathan  Smith,  Mr. 
Thompson,"  said  he  to  his  book-keeper,  "and 
pass  $  100  to  his  credit.  Now  who  comes  next  ?' ' 

Nathan  opened  the  door  and  passed  down  the 
stairs,  declining  the  politeness  of  many  kind 
friends  who  were  willing  to  keep  his  money  for 
him,  nor  did  he  stop  until,  in  the  forecastle  of  the 
"  Gen  too,"  he  could  give  loose  to  the  gratitude  of 
the  heart. 

We  have,,  for  the  present,  done  with  our  hero. 
He  is  on  the  high  road  to  promotion,  for  the  word 
of  Mr.  S.  is  his  bond. 


And  now,  reader,  if  you  please,  we  '11  take  a 
trip  into  the  country.  It's  very  pleasant  to  do  so 
after  a  long  voyage  ;  to  ramble  in  the  fields,  and 
scent  the  flowers  and  new-mown  grass.  Sailors 
take  a  pleasure  in  such  enjoyments,  that  those 
to  whom  they  are  every-day  familiarities,  do  not 
appreciate.  But  we  cannot  stop  thus  to  luxuriate 
just  now.  Besides,  it  is  too  late  in  the  season. 
We  must  transfer  ourselves  to  Vermont,  and  re- 
collect that  it  is  the  middle  of  October,  1838. 
Old  'Squire  Beaton  was  sitting  in  his  arm  chair — 
good  Mrs.  Beaton  at  her  usual  employment  of 
knitting — and  do  you  expect  me  to  say  that  ano- 
ther chair  is  occupied  by  the  blooming  Jane?  Then 
you  are  disappointed. — She  is  too  ill  to  remain  so 
long  below,  and  has  retired.  The  other  chair  is 
occupied  by  the  doctor,  who  is  just  now  speaking. 
4 


62  NATHAN    SMITH. 

"  I  should  be  sorry  to  alarm  you,  sir,  but  Miss 
Beaton  seems  no  better,  and  every  year  she  seems 
to  grow  more  ill.  She  appears  to  have  decided 
symptoms  of  melancholy,  a  disease  which,  when 
once  it  takes  hold  of  the  mind,  is  sure  to  affect 
the  whole  system." 

Poor  Mrs.  Beaton  began  to  cry,  but  the  old 
'Squire  replied  calmly,  "God's  will  be  done! 
I  fear  you  are  correct,  doctor.  If  any  thing 
could  be  done  for  her.  I'd  sacrifice  my  own  life 
cheerfully." 

"  Well,  sir,"  replied  the  physician,  "  something 
may  yet  be  done." 

"  What  is  it?"  said  the  'Squire,  with  a  tone  of 
doubt,  while  the  mother  caught  at  the  idea  of 
there  yet  being  hope,  with  the  fond  enthusiasm 
of  maternal  love. 

"Oh, what  is  it,  dear  sir  ;  do  mention  it !"  said 
she. 

"  A  change  of  scene — a  sea  voyage,"  replied 
the  doctor,  "  is  often  successful  in  such  cases, 
and  it  might  benefit  her." 

The  old  man  sat  a  moment  lost  in  thought, 
when  he  suddenly  rose  from  his  chair,  and  seek- 
ing his  daughter's  bed-room,  communicated  to 
her  the  advice  of  the  physician.  "Would  you 
like  to  try  it,  Jane?"  he  said.  "I  will  accom- 
pany you  myself." 

A  light  of  something  like  hope  dawned  on  the 
countenance  of  the  invalid,  as  she  cheerfully  as- 
sented, and  seemed  rejoiced  at  the  proposal.  The 


new 


NATHAN    SMITH.     |  63 


old  man  knew  her  heart — he  knW  that  hope  is 
every  thing,  and  he  knew  that  the  hope  of  find- 
ing what  she  had  lost,  however  vain  it  might  be, 
would  take  the  place  of  despair,  now  rapidly  un- 
dermining her  constitution,  and  would  bring  back 
the  glow  of  health  upon  her  cheeks. 

His  neighbours  were  astonished  at  the  thought 
of  an  old  man  like  him  being  about  to  "  'tempt 
the  briny  deep."  All  allowed  that  it  might  be 
a  good  thing  for  Miss  Jane,  "  who,  somehow  or 
other,"  as  they  expressed  it,  "had  been  going 
down  to  heel  for  some  time,"  although  they 
thought  she  had  better  marry  Mr.  Saunders, 
who  had  been  so  very  "  attentive,"  and  then 
"family  cares  would  occupy  her  mind,  and  she'd 
be  better."  Everybody  had  their  advice  to 
give. 

Uncle  Jonas  was  very  much  opposed  to  the 
whole  plan,  remarking:  "I  calculate  the  sea 
aint  safe ;  there's  that  are  nephew  o'  mine,  Na- 
than, was  never  heard  on ;  to  be  sure  he  was  a 
kind  o'  fool,  and  it  was  nat'ral  that  he'd  be 
drowned  ;  but  I  don't  think  the  ocean  was  ever 
made  to  go  to  sea  on.  It's  only  for  whales  and 
such  like  fishes  as  are  too  big  to  swim  in  a  mill 
pond.  I  look  upon  it,  'Squire,  as  an  awful 
tempting  of  Providence." 

Poor  Mrs.  Beaton  yielded  a  reluctant  assent, 
willing,  however,  to  be  deprived,  for  a  time,  of 
husband  and  child,  if,  by  such  a  sacrifice,  there 
could  be  a  hope  of  her  daughter's  recovery.  So, 


64  M      NATHAN    SMITH. 

notwithstanding  the  "  unpopularity"  of  the  mea- 
sure, and  the  awful  warnings  of  Uncle  Jonas,  a 
few  days  afterwards  the  stage  coach  was  seen 
standing  at  the  door  of  'Squire  Beaton,  and  after 
an  extra  quantity  of  luggage  was  piled  upon  it, 
the  old  man  and  his  daughter,  receiving  a  part- 
ing salute  of  moans  and  portentous  shaking  of 
heads  from  the  gathered  neighbourhood,  stepped 
in,  and  were  rolled  off  in  the  direction  of  Boston. 
Having  arrived  in  the  city,  and  located  him- 
self in  one  of  the  best  hotels,  it  was  the  old 
'Squire's  first  business  to  call  for  a  newspaper, 
and  peruse  the  advertising  columns.  "  Look, 
Jane,  dear  ! "  cried  he,  delighted,  "  here  are 
never  so  many  vessels  advertised  for  Charleston, 
Savannah,  New  Orleans,  Havana — all  of  them 
such  splendid  accommodations — only  think  ! 
Elegantly  fitted  up  for  passengers — superior  fast 
sailing  vessels  too — regular  packets.  '  A.  1' — 
wonder  what  that,  stands  for !  "  The  old  man 
might  well  have  wondered  what  all  the  other 
lies  stand  for.  Many  of  these  "A.  1,  superior, 
fast  sailing,  copper  and  copper  fastened  packet 
ships,  with  splendid  accommodations,"  being  no 
more  or  no  less  than  old  tubs,  with  pine  cabins, 
delightfully  scented  with  bilge  water,  and  open 
berths  two  on  a  side,  and  'fast  sailing,'  a  mis- 
take for  '  strong  sailing.'  There  is  a  great  deal 
of  humbug  in  the  world,  reader ;  don't  you 
think  so  ? 


NATHAN    SMITH.  65 

"  Now,  Jane,"  said  the  'Squire,  "  where  shall 
we  go?" 

"  Any  where  you  please,  my  dear  father." 

"No,  you  shall  choose  between  Charleston, 
Havana,  and  New  Orleans." 

After  mature  deliberation,  and  a  consultation, 
in  which  the  landlord  and  landlady  were  inclu- 
ded, Havana  was  decided  to  be  most  promising 
for  the  recovery  of  the  invalid.  The  landlord 
introduced  the  'Squire,  to  a  gentleman  who 
boarded  at  his  house,  and  who  was  engaged  in 
commerce,  and  who  kindly  undertook  to  look 
out  for  a  suitable  vessel,  and  to  engage  the  pas- 
sages. 

In  the  mean  time,  our  friends  passed  the  time 
very  agreeably  in  viewing  the  city,  and  visiting 
all  the  lions.  They  might  have  seen,  had  they 
travelled,  many  places  more  populous  and  more 
splendid,  but  neither  they,  rior  you,  nor  I,  ever 
yet  saw  one  more  deservedly  famous  for  its  good 
order,  refinement,  education,  benevolence,  and 
religion,  than  this  same  good  city  of  Boston. 
And  there  are  few  of  the  cities,  in  the  four  quar- 
ters of  the  globe,  that  some  of  us  have  not  vis- 
ited. Long  may  she  retain  her  reputation,  long 
will  she,  if  the  hearts  of  her  citizens  are  stamped 
with  the  motto  of  her  civic  crest :  "  Sicut  path- 
bus  sit  Dens  nobis."  The  cockney  prides  him- 
self upon  having  been  born  within  the  sound  of 
the  "Bow  bells."  We  pride  ourselves  upon 
having  been  bom  within  the  sound  of  the  bells 


66  NATHAN    SMITH. 

that  rung  the  first  peal  to  the  cause  of  freedom 
in  the  New  World.  Firm  has  she  thus  far  stood 
to  her  sacred  principles,  amid  all  the  jacobinism 
and  ultra  democracy,  that  in  other  places  have 
threatened  the  fair  fabric  of  our  constitution — 
and  in  after  ages,  pilgrims  will  flock  to  her 
shrine,  and  hail  her  distant  spires  as  those  of  the 
Holy  City  of  Liberty  !  Reader,  if  you  are  not 
a  Yankee,  some  excuse  for  this  may  be  thought 
necessary ;  but,  if  you  are,  none,  I  am  sure,  is 
needed. 

The  many  varieties  and  novelties  presented  to 
her  view,  had,  already,  a  good  effect  upon  the 
health  of  Jane  Beaton  ;  but  only  temporarily, 
for  her  complaint  was  Love,  chronic  Love. 
Therefore,  her  father  was  glad  to  change  the 
scene,  and  to  embark,  in  a  week,  with  her  on 
board  the  E.  W.  Capen,  for  Havana,  which  ship 
was  now  ready  for  sea,  and  waiting  but  for  her 
passengers,  of  whom  our  friends  constituted  all. 

In  nothing  is  there  greater  improvement,  or 
perhaps  change,  than  is  continually  going  on  in 
ship-building.  The  great  object  of  all  this,  is  to 
combine  fast  sailing  with  good  carrying,  the  lat- 
ter being  the  great  desideratum,  to  which  the 
other  is,  if  possible,  made  subservient.  There 
is,  too,  more  finish  and  smoothness  than  former- 
ly ;  and  after  all,  this,  with  great  carrying,  is 
the  principal  improvement.  For,  at  the  risk  of 
being  called  an  ignoramus,  we  must  be  allowed 
to  express  an  opinion,  that  there  is  no  improve- 


NATHAN    SMITH.  67 

ment  upon  the  fast  sailing,  and  real  beauty  of 
former  times.  The  latter  is  set  totally  at  defi- 
ance. 

Instead  of  the  former  beautiful  symmetry  of 
spars  and  hull,  so  gratifying  to  the  seaman's 
eye,  barks  (ugly,  half  formed  things  !)  are  the 
order  of  the  day — the  sticks  of  a  three  hundred 
ton  ship  are  stuck  into  one  of  five  hundred,  and 
the  deck?!,  instead  of  exhibiting  the  clear  and 
flush  appearance  of  former  days,  so  convenient 
for  working  ship,  are  now  cluttered  up  with  so 
many  houses  and  blocks  of  buildings,  that  one 
can  scarcely  find  his  way  fore  and  aft,  without 
a  directory ! 

And  this  may  be  improvement — perhaps  it  is. 
It  is  quite  amusing  to  see  the  newspaper  de- 
scriptions of  every  new  ship  that  comes  down 
from  Medford.  The  news  collector  is  shown 
all  over  the  decks  by  the  polite  owner  or  master, 
and  the  next  morning  out  comes  a  flaming  de- 
scription of  the  dimensions — and  then  he  begins 
aft  at  the  round  house,  describes  the  cabin  house 
or  passenger  house,  or  whatever  'tis  called — then 
the  house  for  the  mates,  over  the  booby  hatch — 
then  the  sailor  house  where  the  long  boat  ought 
to  be — then  the  cook's  and  steward's  sleeping 
apartment,  connected  with  the  galley  forward  of 
it — then  the  pig  house  and  cow  house,  and  one 
or  two  more  buildings,  till  he  gets  among  the 
paint  lockers  under  the  topgallant  forecastle — 
then  he  threads  his  way  aft  again  to  the  pas- 


68  NATHAN    SMITH. 

senger  house,  tastes  the  steward's  champaign 
and  walks  up  the  wharf,  inditing  an  article  in 
which  the  vessel  is  styled  the  "ne  plus  ultra 
of  naval  architecture,"  which  high  character 
she  will  maintain  until  the  next  one  is  offered 
for  the  critic's  inspection. 

These  sort  of  vessels  are  regular  eye-sores — 
besides,  they  must  be  losers  in  the  long  run, 
being  crank,  requiring  more  ballast,  and  less 
able  to  carry  full  cargoes ;  in  addition,  being  at 
all  times  unhandy  and  inconvenient. 

The  E.  W.  Capen,  in  which  the  'Squire  em- 
barked, was  a  vessel  of  this  description;  how- 
ever, it  was  all  the  same  to  him.  He  and  his 
daughter  were  accommodated  with  the  best 
state  rooms  in  the  house;  that  is,  in  commodi- 
ous closets,  six  feet  by  four,  and  being  blessed 
with  contented  dispositions,  they  resolved  to  be, 
and  they  were,  very  comfortable.  The  E.  W. 
Capen  was  loaded  principally  with  lumber, 
shocked  boxes,  &c.,  so  that  she  was  apparently 
in  very  good  trim.  Every  thing  seemed  favour- 
able for  a  speedy  passage,  and  the  old  man  en- 
tertained the  fond  hope  that  by  being  soon  waft- 
ed into  more  genial  climes,  the  health  of  his 
beloved  child  might  speedily  be  reinstated. 

But  the  ship  was  scarcely  clear  of  the  harbour, 
when  that  detestable  fiend,  sea-sickness,  came  to 
annoy  them.  Often  this  is  beneficial,  rather 
than  otherwise,  but  to  those  already  very  ill, 
its  attack  is  frequently  attended  with  injury. 


NATHAN    SMITH.  69 

and  in  some  instances  has  proved  fatal.  Thus 
with  Jane  ;  so  long  oppressed  with  ill  health  and 
saddened  spirits,  it  proved  more  than  could  be. 
endured,  and  entirely  overcome  by  it,  she  sank 
into  her  berth  with  the  weakness  of  a  child,  de- 
spairing ever  to  rise  from  it  again. 

Her  poor  father  forgot  his  own  feelings  in 
tender  compassion  for  hers.  Despair  now  was 
taking  possession  of  him  likewise,  and  complete 
misery  seemed  to  be  their  portion.  Day  after 
day  continued  the  strong  southwest  gales,  during 
which  time,  the  ship  being  very  crank,  could 
carry  scarcely  any  sail,  but  still  continued  h^.*' 
unceasing  and  uneasy  motion.  At  length,  hav- 
ing crossed  the  gulf,  the  weather  became  mpre 
steady,  and  the  ship  more  easy.  The  old  man 
felt  better,  and  would  now  crawl  out  upon  deck 
occasionally;  still  it  afforded  him  no  relief,  for 
thoughts  of  his  darling  daughter's  sad  condition, 
were  worse  to  him  than  all  the  pangs  of  mortal 
disease.  The  captain  tried  to  cheer  them,  but 
in  vain.  The  weather  became  milder,  for  there 
was  now  scarcely  any  wind,  and  so  day  after 
day  passed  on. 

At  length  a  breeze  sprang  up  from  the  west- 
ward. Anxious  to  improve  it,  the  captain,  un- 
mindful of  the  crankness  of  his  vessel,  crowded 
all  sail ;  and  although  she  careened  fearfully  to 
the  breeze,  he  carried  on  long  without  danger, 
and  he  began  to  imagine  that  she  had  inclined 
to  her  bearings,  and  that  the  masts  would  go 


O  NATHAN    SMITH. 

out  of  her  before  she  would  go  over  any  farther. 
But  it  was  a  fatal  mistake— a  mistake  too  often 
committed. 

The  sky  was  dark— for  it  was  night,  and  thick 
clouds  hid  the  light  of  the  stars.  Prudence 
would  have  dictated  care  at  that  season,  but 
anxiety  to  reach  his  port  overcame  every  other 
consideration,  and  still  though  the  wind  was  in- 
creasing, the  E.  W.  Capen  dragged  along  under 
her  topgallant  sails,  when  suddenly  a  heavy 
squall  unexpectedly  struck  her,  and  in  an  in- 
stant she  was  upon  her  beam  ends  ! 

"Ha-ard  up  your  helm!"  shouted  the  cap- 
tain— "  Let  go  topgallant  halyards  !  let  go  every 
thing!  clew  up!"  orders  that  would  have  en- 
sured safety  a  moment  before,  but  orders  that 
were  now,  and  forever,  too  late  ! 

The  halyards  and  sheets  which  led  to  leeward 
could  not  now  be  reached— but  every  rope  that 
could  be  reached  was,  in  the  consternation  of  the 
moment,  cut  or  let  go — but  the  yards  of  course 
would  not  now  come  down.  It  was  in  vain  to 
jam  the  helm  hard-a-weather — its  action  was 
now  of  no  use  in  the  present  position  of  the  ves- 
sel. Worse  than  all,  discipline  was  gone— every 
man  ran  shouting  "  we  are  lost  !  "  and  all  cried 
for  mercy  from  Heaven,  while  no  one  would  ex- 
ert themselves.  Some  were  lost  in  the  sea — • 
and  after  the  captain's  startling  orders  were 
heard,  no  mortal  ever  heard  his  voice  again. 


NATHAN    SMITH.  71 

"  Where  is  the  axe  ?"  was  now  the  cry — but 
no  axe  was  to  be  found. 

"  Cut !  cut  with  your  knives !"  shouted  some 
one — and  at  length  the  first  means  were  used 
that  reason  dictated  in  their  helpless  condition — 
the  lanyards  of  the  topmast  backstays  were  sev- 
ered ;  but  procrastination,  what  hast  thou  not  to 
answer  for !  The  topmasts  indeed  went  over 
the  side — but  too  late — for  the  water  had  been 
pouring  down  the  hatches  all  this  time,  and  the 
cargo  had  shifted.  It  was  of  no  use — still  the 
water  poured  in ! 

Now  reason,  reflection,  order,  everything  was 
gone.  A  moment's  thought  would  have  con- 
vinced the  infatuated  crew  that  the  vessel  could 
not  immediately  sink,  and  that  their  best  chance 
of  safety  was  to  remain  by  her.  But  none 
thought  of  this. 

"  The  boat !  the  boat !"  was  now  the  cry,  and 
the  only  boat  they  had  was  got  into  the  water. 

Thinking  only  of  self-preservation,  all  the  re- 
maining crew  leaped  into  her,  and  were  about 
to  shove  oif,  when  one  exclaimed,  "The  old  man 
and  his  daughter!" 

Although  deprived  almost  of  reason  by  cow- 
ardly fear,  they  were  not  wholly  lost  to  the  voice 
of  humanity — "  Stop  for  them  !"  cried  several; 
"  pass  them  into  the  boat;  bear  a  hand  !" 

One  or  two  rushed  into  the  house.  The  as- 
tonished and  terrified  passengers  were  clinging 
to  the  weather  berths — "Come!  come!"  cried 


72  NATHAN    SMITH. 

the  men.  "  there  is  no  time  to  waste — into  the 
boat!" 

But  they  were  regarded  with  a  look  of  vacant 
astonishment.  One  of  the  sailors  put  his  hand 
upon  the  old  man's  arm,  saying  as  he  endeavour- 
ed to  pull  him  away,  "  Come,  sir,  do  bear  a 
hand  !" 

Then  the  'Squire  found  his  voice — "  Oh !  do 
not  tear  me  away  from  my  daughter  !" 

"  She  shall  go  to  !"  said  another,  trying  gently 
to  disengage  her  from  the  berth. 

"No,  no,"  cried  the  unhappy  girl — "leave 
me — but  take  my  father  !" 

The  cries  of  those  in  the  boat  were  now  long 
and  loud,  threatening  to  leave  them  all,  if  they 
did  not  hasten.  The  sailors  endeavoured  once 
more  to  drag  the  wretched  passengers  from  the 
cabin,  but  they  resisted  their  efforts  with  preter- 
natural strength,  till  at  last  fearing  that  their 
shipmates  would  put  their  threats  in  execution, 
they  unwillingly  left  them  to  their  fate — and, 
miserable  fools  !  they  shoved  off  without  com- 
pass, bread  or  water,  in  a  little  skiff,  soon  to  be- 
come the  prey  of  famine  or  the  storm  ! 

A  week  after  the  events  transpired  which  \ve 
have  just  related,  a  homeward  bound  Indiaman 
was  slashing  along  under  a  press  of  canvass  to 
the  north -westward.  Every  thing  about  her  be- 
spoke the  presence  of  discipline  and  of  seaman- 
ship; the  neat  cut,  set,  and  trim  of  her  sails — well 


NATHAN    SMITH.  73 

tarred  and  rattlined  rigging — taut  ropes — clean- 
liness and  order  throughout,  showed  that  she 
was  handled  by  soni3  one  who  well  understood 
his  profession. 

"A  fine  breeze,  Mr.  Thompson!"  said  the 
young  captain  to  the  supercargo,  as  eight  bells 
at  noon  were  struck — "and  here  Ave  are  in  lat. 
31,  and  well  to  the  westward  too  ;  seventy-eight 
days  from  the  Sand  Heads  !  Rather  fortunate 
for  my  first  command,  now,  is  it  not  1  Well,  Mr. 
Thompson,  I  hope  your  first  supercargoship 
will  yield  more  returns  than  book-keeping ;  and 
as  for  our  good  owner,  God  bless  him !  Mr. 
Churchill,  the  wind  is  getting  a  little  free  ;  take 
a  pull  of  your  weather  braces,  sir,  and  give  her 
the  fore  topmast  stun'  sail;"  and  the  captain 
paced  the  quarter  deck  in  a  very  contented 
mood. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  man  who  had  gone  aloft 
to  reeve  the  stun'  sail  halyards,  sung  out — 
"Sa-ilho!" 

"  Whereaway  ?" 

"  Hereaway,  sir,"  answered  the  man;  "dead 
to  windward.  She  looks  like  a  wreck,  sir  !" 

"  Give  me  the  glass,  steward !  "  and  in  an  in- 
stant the  Captain  was  in  the  maintopmast  cross- 
trees,  eagerly  followed  by  Mr.  Thompson  ;  and 
before  the  latter  had  sufficiently  recovered  his 
breath  from  the  exertion  of  climbing,  the  cap- 
tain had  taken  a  survey  of  the  wreck,  and  sat 
silently  in  a  seeming  fit  of  abstraction. 


74  NATHAN    SMITH. 

Mr.  Thompson  took  the  glass,  and  after  a  good 
look  at  her,  said,  "  Yes,  she's  dismasted;  what 
are  you  thinking  about,  captain?" 

"Why,  my  dear  fellow,  just  this — there's  a 
craft  dismasted  and  water-logged,  but  I  don't  see 
any  signals  of  distress ;  and  I  have  not  the  least 
idea  that  there  is  any  body  on  board.  If  she  was 
a  little  under  our  lee,  now,  I  would  not  mind 
running  down  to  have  a  clearer  look  at  her ;  I 
don't  like  to  lose  this  fair  wind  by  beating  about 
to  windward  for  no  purpose — but  there  may  be — 
it's  hardly  possible — still  there  may  be  somebo- 
dy alive  on  board.  I  cannot  pass  on  without  a 
nearer  look.  Never  mind  that  stun'  sail,  Mr. 
Churchill ;  brace  her  up  sharp.  Keep  her  full 
and  by!" 

The  "  Vermont"  (for  such  was  the  name  of 
the  Calcutta  trader,  and  a  fine  new  ship  she  was) 
seemed  to  spring  to  her  master's  orders,  as  stand- 
ing stiffly  up  under  her  topgallant  sails  and 
throwing  the  spray  over  her  bows,  she  dashed 
along  like  a  race-horse,  and  soon  had  the  wreck 
upon  her  weather  quarter. 

"Ready  about !  Stations  for  stays  !"  was  now 
the  order. 

"  Hard-a-lee;"  and  in  a  moment  the  beautiful 
fabric  swooped  up  to  the  wind. 

"  Tacks  and  sheets!"  and  as  the  weather 
leeches  of  the  sails  caught  aback,  "  Mainsail 
haul !" 

The  after  yards   swung   themselves  round — 


NATHAN    SMITH.  75 

the  slack  of  the  braces  was  gathered  in — main- 
tack  down  and  sheet  aft,  and  as  the  after  sails 
were  beginning  to  fill,  a  strong  and  powerful 
drag  brought  round  the  head  yards.  In  a  mo- 
ment more  every  thing  was  trimmed  on  the  star- 
board tack,  the  beautiful  curve  of  her  wake  now 
under  the  lee,  showing  that  during  the  evolution, 
she  had  been  walking  to  windward,  and  now 
she  sped  on,  on  a  course  that  would  weather  the 
object  of  her  search.  Oh,  give  me  a  lively  ship 
and  a  lively  crew  ! 

Now  rapidly  she  neared  the  wreck — she  could 
be  distinguished  from  deck — soon  the  hull  could 
be  seen,  but  there  was  no  sign  of  life  on  board  of 
her.  Sluggishly  she  rose  and  fell  in  the  trough 
of  the  sea,  wallowing  like  one  of  its  huge  mon- 
sters, dead.  Now  they  approached  nearer,  so 
that  the  swash  of  her  broken  spars  could  be  heard 
as  the  sea  rolled  between  them  and  the  deserted 
hull.  Other  than  this,  the  silence  of  death 
reigned  throughout. 

A  wreck  is  a  sad  object  for  the  eye  of  a  sailor 
to  rest  upon.  It  is  to  him  a  glorious  thing  that 
once  had  life — but  now,  shorn  of  all  her  pride 
and  beauty,  has  become  the  prize  of  death  !  "  Ah 
well,  Thompson,"  said  the  Captain,  "the  crew 
have  all  perished  or  been  taken  off — let  us  hope 
the  latter — and  we  have  lost  our  time ;  but  there, 
— I  won't  have  lost  it  all  for  nothing.  Since  we 
are  here,  I'll  go  aboard  and  see  if  I  can  find  out 


76  NATHAN    SMITH. 

what  she  was.  Back  the  mainyard  and  lower 
away  the  starboard  quarter  boat !" 

In  a  few  moments  he  was  alongside,  and  with 
one  or  two  of  the  crew  had  stepped  upon  the  deck, 
now  washed  by  every  sea,  for  she  was  com- 
pletely water-logged,  and  had  partly  righted.  He 
viewed  for  a  moment  the  havoc  that  was  made, 
and  satisfied  himself,  from  the  appearances,  that 
the  masts  had  been  cut  away  by  the  crew  ere 
they  had  left  her ;  and  while  -some  of  the  men 
were  exploring  the  other  houses  forward,  he  walk- 
ed aft  and  pushed  aside  the  half-opened  door  of 
the  passenger  house.  And  oh,  what  a  sight  met 
his  gaze  !  He  stood  spell-bound  by  the  scene. 

The  door  of  one  of  the  state  rooms  was  open, 
and  his  presence  was  unperceived  and  unheeded 
by  its  occupants.  They  were  an  apparently 
dying  girl  and  a  feeble  old  man,  scarcely  able  to 
support  himself,  but  whose  arms  sustained  his 
child.  "Yes,  dearest,"  he  said,  "I  fear  that 
we  must  die  !  Oh,  that  I  had  one  drop  of  water 
to  moisten  those  parched  lips  !" 

"No,  dear  father,  no;  you  will  not  die — you 
must  not  die.  Oh,  what  will  become  of  mother? 
—but  for  me,  I  know  I  cannot  live  long.  When 
you  see  her  again,  kiss  her  for  me — dear  father 
—will  you,  father?  And  if  you  ever  see  Nathan 
again,  tell  him  I  never  forgot  him — no,  never  !" 

''Nor  has  he  forgotten  you  !"  exclaimed  Na- 
than, whose  astonishment  and  emotion  had  not 


NATHAN    SMITH.  77 

*'    .. 

till  now  permitted  him  to  move  from  where  he 
first  discovered  the  distressing  sight.  "Do  you 
not  know  me,  Jane?"  he  said,  rushing  forward 
'and  raising  her  from  her  father's  arms  7 

A  smile  of  recognition  gleamed  upon  her  pale 
features,  and  her  head -fell  upon  his  bosom. 

He  grasped  tljg  hand  of  the  old  man.  "  Tell 
me,"  he  asked,  uoh  tell  me,  how  came  you 
here? — but  I  forget;"  and  he  ran  upon  deck. 
"Back  to  the  ship,  men,"  he  cried,  "for  God's 
sake,  quick,  and  bring  some  water  here  !" 

They  jumped  into  the  boat  and  sprang  to  their 
oars  as  if  pulling  for  their  own  lives.  As  he 
stood  over  the  almost  insensible  sufferers,  the 
minutes  they  were  absent,  seemed  hours.  At 
length  they  returned;  a  small  draught  of  water 
was  administered  to  each,  and  they  revived. 
Hope  already  once  more  beamed  in  the  eyes 
of  the  daughter,  while  the  father,  scarce  com- 
prehending how  he  was  rescued  from  death, 
began  to  explain  the  cause  of  their  present  sit- 
uation. 

"Say  nothing  now,  dear  sir,"  said  Nathan, 
"  say  nothing.  When  we  are  on  board  of  my 
ship,  we'll  have  plenty  of  time.  Now  we  must 
remove  you  there." 

The  transfer  was  soon  made,  and  in  a  half 
hour  they  were  domesticated  in  Captain  Smith's 
cabin,  where  it  is  quite  unnecessary  to  say,  that 
every  attention  that  humanity  or  love  could  de- 
vise, was  rendered  to  them.  The  boat  was 


78  NATHAN    SMITH. 

hoisted  up  —  the  ship  wore  round  —  the  weather 
braces  again  checked  in,  foretopmost  stun'  sail 
set,  and  every  rope  yarn  had  a  strain  as  the 
"Vermont"  spanked  away  at  her  fullest  speed, 
northwest  by  north. 


As  has  been  once  before  said,  "how  pleasant 
it  is  to  go  into  the  country  after  a  long  voyage  !" 
Come,  reader,  let  us  go  there  once  more.  It  was 
Thanksgiving  day  in  Vermont,  the  Thanksgiv- 
ing of  1844  ;  and  the  scene  was  in  our  favourite 
spot,  old  Squire  Beaton's  parlor. 

The  roast  turkey  had  gone  the  way  of  all  flesh, 
the  plumb-pudding  was  demolished,  minced  and 
pumpkin  pies  had  disappeared,  nuts  and  raisins 
too  were  gone.  In  short,  the  ceremony  and  feel- 
ing of  a  Thanksgiving  day's  dinner  were  over, 
but  the  cheerful  hilarity  remained  ;  and  though 
the  rosy  wine  might  have  been  wanting,  the 
happy  faces  that  gathered  that  evening  around 
the  old  'Squire's  fireside,  were  beaming  with 
gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  all  their  mercies,  and 
with  calm  contentment  with  their  happy  lot. 
Uncle  Jonas  and  his  wife,  even  they,  felt  the  soft- 
ening influence  of  domestic  happiness,  where 
they  were  invited  guests.  The  old  'Squire  occu- 
pied his  arm  chair,  yet  a  hale  old  man.  Mrs. 
Beaton  sat  in  her  rocking  chair  in  the  opposite 
corner,  hatching  the  gambols  of  her  two  grand- 
children, upon  the  carpet.  If  the  reader  recol- 


NATHAN    SMITH.  79 

lects,  there  was  once  a  pause  in  that  room  be- 
fore :  so  there  was  now,  till  it  was  interrupted  by 
a  little  boy  running  to  his  father  with  a  childish 
complaint,  "  Papa,  Jane's  been  laughing  at  me !" 

"  Never  mind,  my  son,"  replied  Captain  Smith, 
"you're  not  the  first  Nathan  that  Jane  or  other 
people  have  laughed  at !" 

The  Squire  smiled.  Old  Mrs.  Beaton  told 
little  Jane  she  musn'tbe  naughty.  Uncle  Jonas 
and  his  wife  looked  in  each  other's  faces,  and 
Mrs.  Smith  stirred  the  fire. 

I  give  you  joy,  my  friends ;  here  ends  the  story 
of  Nathan  Smith.  Two  of  the  characters  of 
this  story,  at  least,  are  not  fictitious.  Captain 
Coffin  died  a  few  years  ago  at  St.  Helena,  on 
his  passage  from  Sumatra.  A  few  months  since, 
I  stood  by  the  grave  that  once  held  the  remains 
of  Napoleon — there  never  was  an  inscription 
upon  it — there  was  none  needed ;  every  one  who 
saw  it,  knew  what  it  should  be,  "  The  Con- 
queror." I  stood  also  over  the  grave  of  Abel 
Coffin.  There  is  no  inscription  there,  but  those 
who  knew  him,  know  what  it  should  be, 

"  An  honest  man's  the  noblest  work  of  God." 

Which  of  the  two  epitaphs  would  we  all 
prefer  ?" 

Mr.  S.  still  lives ;  long  may  he  live !  one  of 
Boston's  first  merchants,  one  of  her  most  bene- 
volent citizens — and  last,  but  not  least,  THE 
SAILOR'S  FRIEND. 


80  NATHAN   SMITH. 

NOTE. — This  tale,  as  already  hinted,  is  founded  upon  fact ; 
and  those  manoeuvres,  which  have  been  reviewed  by  a  certain 
writer,  in  a  style  that  indicated  that  some  personal  offence 
had  been  given  him  by  the  author,  (of  which  he  is,  however, 
unconscious,)  were  such  as  have  actually  occurred. 

For  the  alleged  grammatical  error  in  the  use  of  the  word 
that,  in  the  title,  if  wrong,  I  am  happy  to  be  so  in  such  com- 
pany as  that  of  Shakspeare  and  of  Addison. 

I  have  used  the  name  of  Mr.  S.,  in  connection  with  the 
"  Gentoo."  Captain  Coffin  sailed  many  years  for  Mr.  Sturgis, 
but  when  he  commanded  the  "  Gentoo,"  he  was  in  the  employ 
of  Mr.  Bacon.  So,  if  you  please,  you  may  read  it  as  it  is,  or 
for  Mr.  S — ,  read  Mr.  B — :  what  praise  belongs  to  one,  be- 
longs also  to  the  other. 


CAPTAIN  DODGE 


WITHIN  the  walls  of  the  old  Spanish  city  of 
Manila — you  may  imagine  the  year  of  our 
Lord  to  be  1600,  or  thereabouts — many  of  its 
present  churches  and  private  buildings  were 
erected  in  that  century  ;  and  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  inhabitants  have  undergone  as 
little  change  as  the  dwellings  of  their  ancestors. 
But  however  dismal  and  gloomy  appear  the 
narrow  streets  and  alleys — uentra  muros" — 
when  once  emerged  into  the  beautiful  suburbs, 
the  scene  changes  :  there  seems  to  be  another 
race  of  beings  dwelling  there.  The  Spaniards 
are  alive,  so  far  as  they  are  capable  of  being 
so,  for  breathing  is  somewhat  of  an  exertion 
to  them.  But  outside  of  the  walls  you  see 
more  of  the  natives — happy,  joyous  creatures 
that  they  are — no  cares  have  they  beyond  the 
present  hour.  Nature  spontaneously  produces 
enough  to  supply  their  wants.  They  have, 
apparently,  nothing  to  do  but  live,  love,  and  be 
happy.  Then,  O,  the  women  !  O  dear — well, 


82  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

that's  none  of  your  business,  nor  of  mine,  at 
present. 

The  Canada,  or  promenade  ground,  about 
the  city,  is  magnificent ;  and  if  you  wish  to  see 
the  stately  Dons  and  lovely  Senoritas,  go  out 
there  of  an  evening,  and  you  will  see  all  the 
fashion  of  Manila:  and  then  how  impressive 
is  the  silence  when  tolls  the  vesper  bell !  The 
carriages,  that  were  racing  at  full  tilt,  the  gal- 
loping horses,  the  running  and  laughing  popu- 
lace— every  body,  every  thing,  is  still  on  the 
instant — all  heads  are  uncovered,  all  eyes  cast 
downward,  and  the  spirit  of  devotion  rests  upon 
the  motionless  throng  !  Call  it  superstition,  or 
papacy,  or  what  not — to  my  mind,  it  is  the 
most  interesting  spectacle  in  the  world. 

Don  Bernardo  Antlemann  (requiescat  in  pace  ! 
Every  body  that's  been  to  Manila  remembers 
Don  Bernardo)  kept  the  hotel  where  lodged  most 
of  the  strangers  from  Europe  and  America. 
His  house  was,  at  the  time  of  which  we  speak, 
full  of  Yankees.  As  many  of  them  will  but 
too  well  remember,  they  were  all  perfectly  mad, 
in  1837,  for  sugar  and  hemp,  and  there  were  to 
be  seen  lying  in  the  roads,  a  larger  number  of 
American  vessels  than  were  ever  assembled 
there  before.  Pull  about  the  harbour,  and  you 
would  see  Boston,  or  New  York,  or  Salem,  on 
almost  every  stern  ;  and  among  others,  the  "  Ja- 
red  Spriggins,"  of  Portland,  lay  waiting  cargo, 
whose  master  and  supercargo  were  generally  to 


CAPTAIN   DODGE.  83 

be  found  on  board,  though  business  compelled 
him  against  his  will,  sometimes,  to  take  his 
lodgings  with  Don  Bernardo.  Captain  Dodge 
looked  upon  this  drain  from  his  pocket  as  a 
hardship,  calling  loudly  for  his  Christian  resig- 
nation, and  accordingly  economized  in  other 
ways  to  counterbalance  it.  A  real  seemed  to 
him  somewhat  larger  than  does  a  dollar  to 
common  eyesight,  for  the  chief  and  indeed  only 
object  of  his  life  had  been  to  get  what  he  could, 
and  keep  what  he  had  got.  His  dress  testified 
strongly  to  his  economy;  and  this,  with  other 
peculiarities,  made  Captain  Enoch  Dodge  the 
butt  of  and  laughing-stock  of  all  hands.  ^ 

La  Senora  Valdaria  was  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  fascinating  of  her  sex.  Such 
small,  delicate  features :  long  and  luxuriant 
raven  tresses ;  dark  and  expressive  eyes,  that 
seemed  to  float  in  a  sea  of  delight ;  coral  lips, 
whence  flowed  a  voice  whose  soft  and  warbling 
notes  might  hush  the  nightingale;  and,  above 
all,  a  form  moulded  with  nature's  choicest  care. — 
Such  was  the  lady  who,  in  the  absence  of  her 
spouse  in  the  country,  was  to  be  seen  at  even- 
ing on  the  Canada,  alone  in  her  carriage,  which 
was  continually  escorted  and  its  fair  occu- 
pant saluted  by  all  the  young  cabelleros  who 
had  the  happiness  to  claim  her  acquaintance. 
Such  was  the  lady  who  sent  the  arrow  of  love 
from  the  quiver  of  her  charms,  and  lodged  it  in 


84  CAPTAIN    DODGE. 

the  heart  of  Captain  Enoch  Dodge,  of  the  bark 
Jared  Spriggins,  of  Portland. 

Enoch  disdained  the  much-admired  cheroot, 
and  was  smoking  his  long  nine  and  whittling 
a  stick,  when  the  Senora's  carriage  passed. 
Whether  it  was  some  gay  cabaliero  who  hap- 
pened to  be  in  the  same  range  with  Enoch,  or 
whether  it  was  some  passing  thought  in  her 
mind,  I  know  not;  but  she  sweetly  smiled,  and 
her  eyes  at  the  same  instant  met  his  gaze. 

The  consequence  was  like  the  contact  of  fire 
with  a  roll  of  brimstone.  Dodge  was  all  in 
a  blaze — done — gone — melted  ! — yes,  in  love  ! 
"  The  young  miss  noticed  me,"  thought  he ; 
"  I  don't  wonder  she's  sick  of  them  whiskered 
chaps  frisking  round  her."  The  thought  pro- 
duced such  an  unearthly  whistle,  that  the  Se- 
nora  looked  round  to  see  if  a  wheel  had  come 
off,  and  the  horses  started  off  at  full  trot.  "  O, 
crackee  !  she's  looking  arter  me!"  exclaimed 
our  gallant  friend,  giving  chase  at  the  idea.  It 
was  no  easy  matter  to  overtake  the  carriage. 
Enoch  ran — his  hat  fell  off — he  couldn't  stop 
for  that,  but  still  he  ran  as  if  for  dear  life — his 
long  nine  in  his  mouth,  and  knife  and-«tick  in 
either  hand.  Every  body  supposed  he  was  run- 
ning on  a  wager  against  time,  and  encouraged 
him  with  shouts  of  "Bravo,  bravo!  que  corri- 
dor !"  but  all  in  vain  ;  though  his  legs  were  long, 
his  breath  became  short,  and  he  was  unable  to 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  85 

keep  his  chase  in  sight  after  it  entered  the  gate, 
and  passed  into  the  streets  of  the  city. 

"  I  say,  Sefior,"  said  the  panting  and  exhaust- 
ed skipper,  to  a  gentleman  he  encountered,  "  Q,ue 
— que — carriage  es  este  que  just  passado  into 
yonder  gate  ?"  Fortunately  the  gentleman  un- 
derstood English,  and  gave  his  interrogator  the 
information  that  his  compound  lingo  never  would 
otherwise  have  elicited. 

"  The  Setter  Valdaria's,  sir." 

"  Well,  wherebout's  the  house  ?" 

"  In  the  Calle  San  Ignacio,  if  it  will  be  any 
pleasure  for  you  to  know." 

"  Well,  it  is  a  mighty  sight ;  much  obleged." 

Animated  by  the  information  he  had  received, 
Capt.  Dodge  wore  ship  and  stood  for  his  hat, 
which  he  happily  found  in  the  gutter  by  the  road 
side.  Wiping  off  the  mud,  and  clapping  it  on 
his  head,  he  re-lighted  his  long  nine  from  a 
friendly  passing  fire,  and  shaped  his  course  for 
the  hotel,  enlivening  his  march  by  whistling  Yan- 
kee Doodle,  puffing  his  cigar,  throwing  stones 
at  the  dogs,  and  holding  sweet  converse  with 
his  own  mind.  "  She  is  a  picter,  no  mistake  ! 
Lord,  how  she  looked  at  me,  and  then  looked 
back  again  as  sweet  as  'lasses.  But  the  cruel 
critter  !  why  did  she  drive  off  so  like  all  possess- 
ed. Lem  me  see — oh  yes,  cause  '^wouldn't  do 
for  us  to  be  seen  talking  together  so  public  like ; 
well,  any  how,  I  know  where  her  father's  house 
is ;  oh,  if  I  can  only  git  into  this  pew,  what  '11 
.5 


86  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

Sarah  Stebbins  and  Nancy  Mudge  say  !  when 
they  see  in  the  Advertiser  somethin'  like  this : 
'In  the  city  of  Manila,  on  the 25th  of  Novem- 
ber, by  Rev.  Mr.  Somebody,  Capt.  Enoch  Dodge, 
of  the  bark  Jared  Spriggins,  of  this  city,  to  Miss, 
say  Angeliner  Valleydeer,  daughter  of  the  Senor 
Don  Valleydeer,  F.R.S.,  A.S.S.,  &c.  &c.'  Oh, 
Je-hos-a-phat !  And  then  agin :  '  Arrived  in  Bos- 
ton, bark  "Jared  Spriggins,"  of  this  port,  Dodge, 
Manila,  120  days,  Java  Head  100,  passenger, 
Mrs.  Dodge,  captain's  lady,  and  six  servants. 
By  the  great  lumber  raft !  whew  !' "  and  our 
friend  executed  a  pirouette  at  once  original  and 
peculiar. 

Turning  into  the  main  road  at  that  instant, 
I  beheld  his  well-known  figure,  and  witnessed 
his  remarkable  evolution  with  astonishment. 

He  stood  one  hail  without  reply.  The  next, 
at  the  top  of  my  lungs  :  "  Beautiful  evening, 
Captain  Dodge;  homeward  bound,  eh?"  caught 
his  ear. 

"  Beautiful !  I  guess  she  is  ; — yes,  going  down 
in  the  next  boat  with  my  family." 

"Why,  Dodge,  you  fool !  are  you  crazy?  I 
say  it's  a  fine  evening,  and  are  you  going  to  the 
hotel?" 

li  Yes — yes — sartain — yes — very  fine — such 
eyes  !" 

"  Eyes  and  boats,  and  what  not !  old  boy,  are 
you  mad?" 


CAPTAIN   DODGE.  87 

"  Mad  !  no  I  aint,  but  I'm  kind  o'— " 
"  In  love,  very  like."     "  Exactly." 
"  One  would  think  that  your  sweetheart  was 
too  far  off  just  now  to  turn  your  brain  in  this 
style." 

"Is  a  mile  such  an  everlastin'  way  ?" 
"  Oh  ho  !  a  Spanish  conquest !     I  congratulate 
you,  my  dear  friend.     What's  her  name,  Maria 
— Seraphina— Violetta  ?" 

tl  I  dun  know  what  her  chrissen  name  is,  but 
her  father's  name  is  Yalleydeer." 

It  just  struck  our  worthy  friend  that  he  had 
overstepped  his  usual  prudence,  and  he  resolved 
to  keep  his  own  counsel  in  this  case,  as  he  would 
have  done  about  a  cheap  lot  of  sugar — he  want- 
ed the  market  to  himself  for  all  sorts  of  produce. 
So  he  walked  home  with  me,  declining  to  answer 
any  more  questions,  and  even  refusing  to  tell  me 
how  his  hat  became  soiled,  leaving  the  natural 
conclusion  to  be  drawn  that  he  had  been  in  a  bad 
box,  and  perhaps  received  a  bad  boxing. 

Valleydeer,  Valleydeer  !  a  queer  name  too, 
thought  I,  certainly  not  Spanish  ;  it  must  be 
some  English  lady  who  has  wounded  the  heart 
of  Enoch,  and  she  must  be  rich  too,  or  the  ar- 
row never  would  have  penetrated  so  hard  a 
substance. 

"  My  dear  sir,"  said  my  consignee,  when  I 
called  at  his  office  next  morning,  "  I  am  going 
to  have  a  little  dinner  party  to-day  :  will  you 
make  one  of  us?  "  An  invitation  to  his  hospi- 


88  CAPTAIN    DODGE. 

table  and  well-spread  board  was  never  to  be 
declined,  and  three  o'clock  found  me  seated 
there  with  a  Spanish  company.  The  conver- 
sation was  carried  on  principally  in  that  lan- 
guage, and  I  found  but  one  of  them  besides  our 
host  who  had  English  at  command. 

The  dinner,  however,  was  so  excellent,  that 
for  some  time  little  of  either  language  was  re- 
quisite to  entertain — every  one  exercising  his 
jaws  so  briskly  with  the  savoury  viands,  that 
words  were  superfluous.  As  our  appetites  flag- 
ged, conversation  increased.  I  was,  by  the  po- 
liteness of  our  host,  placed  next  his  friend,  who 
spoke  my  own  language.  The  Senor  Yaldaria 
(the  name  brought  to  mind  Dodge's  lady-love) 
had  little  of  the  demureness  and  pomposity  of 
his  countrymen.  He  was  gay,  affable,  and  ex- 
ceedingly agreeable  and  communicative,  and 
fond  of  joke,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing.  Being 
nearly  of  an  age,  too,  we  had  formed  quite  a 
compact  of  friendship  before  the  cloth  was  re- 
moved. 

"  I'll  tell  you,  my  friend,"  said  he,  after  din- 
ner, when  strolling  in  the  garden,  "  I'll  tell  you 
a  very  good  joke.  One  of  your  countrymen 
has  fallen  in  love  with  my  wife.  Pobre  Anto- 
nia  ! — she  was  much  frightened,  though  !  " 

"  That's  Dodge  !  now  we  have  it  all  out !" 
cried  I,  delighted.  The  result  of  this  discovery 
was  the  concoction  and  execution  of  a  most 


CAPTAIN   DODGE.  89 

notable  plan,  having  for  its  object  to  humbug 
Enoch  Dodge  outright. 

But  what  had  that  gentleman  been  doing  in 
the  interim,  and  how  did  Valdaria  make  the 
discovery  of  his  love  ? 

Our  worthy  friend  had  not  been  idle  on  the 
previous  night.  He  had  no  sooner  gone  home, 
than  he  rigged  himself  out  in  his  best  duck 
trowsers  and  olive-coloured  coat,  or  surtout.  got 
his  boots  brushed,  borrowed  a  hat,  and  thus  be- 
ing all  a-tanto,  got  under  weigh,  and  stood  di- 
rectly for  the  Calle  San  Ignacio.  He  soon  made 
the  street,  and  at  length  found  the  house  of  Se- 
ller Valdaria,  by  spying  his  lady,  the  object  of 
his  search,  sitting  alone  by  the  window,  sipping 
her  chocolate. 

"Miss  Valleydeer,  here  I  be!"  exclaimed  our 
hero,  rushing  to  the  grating.  "Q,ue  quiere, 
Senor  ?"  said  the  lady  surveying  with  wonder 
her  uncouth  admirer.  "  Yo  visto,"  replied  he, 
"  Canada — muy  hermosa.  Oh,  darnation — obre 
the  ventana  and  let  me  in."  The  Senora 
started  back,  and  at  the  same  instant  there  was 
heard  a  step  upon  the  stairs. 

It  was  that  of  her  husband,  who  but  a  few 
moments  before  had  returned  from  the  country. 
The  noise  frightened  Enoch  from  his  game,  and 
he  thought  to  himself,  "  That's  the  old  'un.  She's 
afeard  of  him,  and  daisn't  talk  to  me  any  long- 
er." So  Captain  Dodge  dodged  round  the  cor- 
ner, where  he  remained  until  he  supposed  the 


90  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

old  dad  would  have  gone  off  again,  and  left  the 
coast  clear.  He  then  emerged  from  his  hiding 
place  and  promenaded  before  the  window  for 
half  the  night  in  vain.  The  lady  was  not  to  be 
seen.  Her  suspicious  old  father  must  have 
locked  her  up.  So  he  contented  himself  with  ad- 
miring the  superb  house,  and  fancying  it  his  own 
in  anticipation.  "Faint  heart  never  won  fair 
lady,"  thought  he.  "  I'll  try  again  to-morrow 
night,"  and  he  retraced  his  steps  homeward,  la- 
menting the  luck  that  obliged  him  to  spend  another 
night  ashore,  and  be  at  an  expense  for  nothing. 
•The  next  evening,  of  course,  was  that  of  our 
dinner  party.  Dodge  was  punctually  upon  the 
Cal^ada.  The  Senora  was  at  home,  as  was  al- 
so her  husband,  who  had  returned  from  dinner 
to  his  own  house.  Our  economical  friend  had 
hired  a  horse,  that  he  might  take  the  field  in  bet- 
ter style,  and  he  moreover  flattered  himself  that 
he  might  ride  alongside  of  his  charmer.  But 
she  was  not  there.  He  again  railed  at  the  ty- 
ranny of  her  old  father,  who  must  have  kept  her 
at  home.  He  thought  of  the  sacrifices  he  had 
made  to  no  purpose — the  danger  he  had  incurred 
for  her  sake,  in  trusting  his  legs  across  a  horse's 
back,  and,  not  least  of  all,  the  dollar  paid  to  the 
stable-keeper.  "  But  see  her  this  ev.ening  I  will," 
said  he,  and  see  her  he  did. 

Rigged  again,  in  the  same  dress  as  on  the  pre- 
ceding evening,  he  now  cautiously  stole  up  to  the 
window,  where  he  found  the  Senora  occupied 


€ 

CAPTAIN    DODGE.  91 

precisely  as  before,  and  alone.  He  had  looked 
out  some  appropriate  words  in  the  dictionary, 
during  the  day,  and  now  brought  them  into  ac- 
tion. He  accosted  her  as  "Mi  queridita — mi  co- 
raronida — amor  de  mi  almad  !"  and  fired  off  all 
his  love  phrases  at  the  first  volley.  His  salute 
was  returned  by  a  round  of  exqusite  smiles,  and 
the  window  opened,  sesame,  for  his  admission. 
Once  fairly  alongside  his  prize,  the  victor  was 
about  throwing  his  grappling  irons  around  her 
neck,  when  the  door  opened,  and  Sefior  Valdaria 
walked  in.  Dodge  resembled  his  old  bark  when 
taken  aback  in  a  tide  way.  He  couldn't  veer 
nor  stay  ;  the  poor  fellow  began  to  apologize — 
"Sefior — yo  hace  mistake — casa — darnation — 
usted  excusame  !" 

"No  apology  is  necessary,  my  good  sir,"  repli- 
ed the  young  man,  in  very  good  English,  "  any 
friend  of  my  sister's  is  welcome  to  our  house. 
Sit  down,  sir.  Ho,  muchacho  !  chocolate  y  taba- 
cos.  Take  a  cup  of  chocolate,  sir — and  you 
smoke,  I  presume?  You'irfind  these  cheroots 
very  good."  Overjoyed  at  his  unexpected  good 
fortune  in  finding  a  friend  in  a  supposed  enemy, 
Enoch  seated  himself  with  alacrity,  crossed  his 
legs,  spread  his  handkerchief  on  his  lap,  took  his 
chocolate,  lit  his  cheroot,  and  made  himself,  as 
he  expressed  it,  "to  hum." 

"You  see,"  commenced  our  hero,  "you  see, 
Mr.  Valleydeer,  for  I  'spose  that's  your  name, 
being  as  you  are  this  young  lady's  brother,  I  just 


92  CAPTAIN  DODGE. 

dropped  in  to  see  your  sister,  as  she  and  me  got 
kind  o'  'quainted  last  night,  on  the  Canada. 
I  must  say  I  feel  considerable  flattered  by  your 
politeness,  seein'  that  the  article  is  no  ways 
common,  so  fur  as  my  experience  goes,  in  this 
out  o'  the  way  part  of  the  world.  Miss  Valley- 
deer  I  calculate  don't  understand  English  ?" 

"  I  regret  very  much,"  said  his  polite  host,  "  that 
in  consequence,  she  should  be  deprived  of  the 
pleasure  of  your  conversation ;  but  you  must  talk 
with  your  eyes,  and  if  that  will  not  answer,  I 
must  be  your  interpreter." 

"  Thank  you,  I'm  much  obleeged.  To  tell  the 
truth,  I'm  despart  in  love  with  her,  and  if  she's 
no  objection,  should  like  to  pay  'tentionreg'lar." 

After  some  conversation  with  his  lady,  during 
which  the  blood  crimsoned  her  fair  cheeks,  Yal- 
daria  informed  his  guest  that  she  was  far  from 
disliking  his  personal  appearance,  and  farther, 
that  she  hoped  for  the  happiness  of  his  more  in- 
timate acquaintance. 

"  That's  clever,'  Mr.  Valleydeer,"  chuckled 
Enoch,  "  nothin' like  impressions  made  fust  goin' 
off.  Now  when  you  go  a  courtin'  yourself,  just 
you  remember  that." 

''Certainly,  my  dear  sir,  I'll  endeavour  to  do 
so,"  replied  Valdaria,  "but  in  the  mean  time  let 
me  tell  you,  you  must  be  very  cautious  about 
this  business.  Our  parents  are  in  the  country, 
but  may  at  any  time  return  to  the  city,  and 
father  is  very  proud,  as  well  as  wealthy.  (Here 


CAPTAIN  DODGE.  93 

Enoch  pricked  up  his  ears.)  However  much  1 
am  inclined  to  favour  your  suit,  (Enoch  smiled,) 
he  would  not  be  satisfied  with  any  thing  but 
pure  Spanish  blood,  and" — 

"Spanish  blood!"  echoed  Dodge,  "why  a 
man's  a  man!  May  be  you  don'  know  any 
thing  about  Americans ;  they  are  the  greatest 
nation  on  arth,  and  I  expect  in  all  creation, 
'specially  down  east !  I  guess  you  don't  know 
any  Americans  here,  do  ye?" 

"  1  have  been  acquainted  with  several  of  the*m, 
in  the  way  of  business,  but  I  don't  think  I  know 
any  who  are  here  just  now,  excepting  one  by 
the  name  of  Ringbolt." 

"Oh,  you  know  that  feller,  do  ye?  wild  young 
rascal  he  is;  always  a  hazin  every  body  a'  most 
to  death  !  (If  Captain  Dodge  was  every  body, 
he  might  have  been  very  nearly  right.)  Did  you 
ever  hear  him  say  any  thing  about  me?"  con- 
tinued our  suspicious  lover. 

"  Not  having  the  pleasure  of  knowing  your 
name  as  yet,  I  cannot  really  say,"  answered 
Yaldaria. 

"Oh  thunder!"  exclaimed  Enoch,  jumping 
up,  "  forgot  we  haint  been  introduced  yet,  none 
of  us.  I'll  introduce  myself,  better  late  than 
never,  ha!  ha!  Mr.  Valleydeer,  Capt.  Enoch 
Dodge — Captain  Dodge,  Mr,  Valleydeer.  Now 
just  you  introduce  me  to  the  young  woman,  and 
we'll  be  all  right." 


94  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

"  El  Capitan  Dodge,"  said  Valdaria,  smiling, 
"Mihermana— - Mihermana,  ElCapitan  Dodge." 

The  Senora  smiled,  for  she  saw  her  husband 
do  so,  and  Enoch  grinned  from  ear  lo  ear,  scrap- 
ed the  floor,  and  sat  down  again. 

"Now  all  right,"  resumed  our  hero,  "go 
ahead.  Speaking  about  this  here  Ringbolt, 
wa'nt  we  ?" 

"Yes,"  said  the  Senor,  "he  has  spoken  of 
you ;  said  you  commanded  a  bark  belonging 
to»— 

"Portland,"  said  Enoch. 

"Yes,  Portland,  I  don't  recollect  the  name- 
called  after  some  public  character,  I  believe — 
rather  an  odd  name." 

"Public  character,  odd  name  !"  echoed  Dodge. 
"  Why,  she's  called  after  one  of  our  owners,  to  be 
sure ;  it's  gittin'  to  be  all  the  fashion  now.  Every 
body  calls  their  vessels  after  themselves,  special- 
ly if  they  haint  got  no  children;  there's  the 
"Jeremiah  Stubbs,"  of  Bangor;  the  "  Abime- 
lech  Spooner,"  of  Brunswick;  the  "Amos  Pat- 
ten," of  Bath;  and  the  "Solomon  Piper."  I 
knowed  two  brothers  in  Kennebunk  that  were 
in  the  'lasses  trade,  who  got  pretty  well  to  do  in 
the  world  and  built  a  brig  for  a  Sacarapper. 
Speakin'  about  buildin'  vessels ;  down  east  is  the 
greatest  place  in  the  universe.  We  build  'em  in 
no  time  ana  out  of  pretty  much  nothin',  and 
paint  'em  and  fetch  'em  up  to  Boston,  where 
they  fit  insured  as  low  as  their  bang-up  Medford 


CAPTAIN   DODGE.  95 

ships.  Don't  we  stick  the  lick  into  them  un- 
derwriters, and  then  we  git  just  as  good  frets  as 
t'others;  damage  the  cargo  some  considerable, 
perhaps;  never  mind,  that's  stress  of  weather, 
you  know  ;  git  'em  condemned  in  seven  or  eight 
years,  and  take  the  money  and  build  new  ones. 
But  I'm  gittin'  a  little  out  o'  the  track,  though ; 
still,  a  man  in  love  will  run  wild ;  he  !  he  !"  and 
Enoch  leered  at  the  Sefiora,  who  stared  in  amaze- 
ment at  his  conversation.  "Poor  critter,"  said 
he,  "she  tries  to  understand,  don't  she?  Well, 
never  mind,  dear,  you'll  larn  English  by  and  bye. 
Well,  about  names ;  them  two  brothers  I  was 
speakin'  about,  Zephaniah  and  Jedediah  Per- 
kins, they  wanted  the  brig  to  be  all  in  the  family ; 
so,  as  she  was  a  small  hooker,  they  couldn't  get 
the  hull  on't  on  to  the  starn  in  six-inch  letters, 
accordin'  to  law,  'and  it  had  to  read  "Zeph  and 
Jed  Perkins,  K.  Bunk."  You  see  that  was  a 
good  deal  prettier  than  the  old-fashion  names  of 
Mary,  Sophia,  Carolina,  Eagle,  American,  and 
such  like."  Enoch  went  on  to  give  his  friend 
the  history  of  Portland  in  particular,  and  the 
State  of  Maine  in  general — expatiating  largely 
on  the  boundary  question  and  the  lumber  and 
molasses  trade,  where  he  was  quite  at  home. 
But  it  grew  late,  and  the  Sefiora  began  at  length 
to  yawn,  in  spite  of  the  awakening  touches  of 
her  spouse.  At  last  he  finished  his 'story,  and 
there  was  an  awful  pause.  Dodge  would  have 
given  anything  for  a  stick  to  whittle  ;  but  after 


96  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

squirming  about  for  awhile  in  his  chair,  he  made 
a  prodigious  effort — hauled  out  his  pocket  chro- 
nometer, and  said  he  guessed  he  must  be  goin'. 
The  Sefiora  said  something  which  her  husband 
translated  into  an  affectionate  invitation  to  come 
again.  The  happy  lover  assured  her  of  his  in- 
tention to  do  so — squeezed  her  delicate  hand 
with  his  flipper,  and  bidding  Sefior  Valdaria  good 
night,  bolted  into  the  street,  so  overcome  with 
joy,  that  on  awaking  next  morning,  he  could  not 
recollect  which  way  he  came  home,  or  on  which 
side  he  got  into  bed. 

Now,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  Sefiora 
enjoyed  this  visit  overmuch;  but  knowing  that 
her  husband  had  some  object  in  view,  she  wil- 
lingly acceded  to  his  desires,  like  a  dutiful  wife, 
and  followed  all  his  directions.  "  Patience,  my 
dear  Antonia,"  said  he,  "  for  one  or  two  even- 
ings more,  and  I'll  learn  this  conceited  fool  a 
lesson  he'll  not  soon  forget — and  it  is  such  rare 
fun  to  hear  him  talk  !  I  wish  you  could  under- 
stand more  of  what  he  says."  "Oh,  I  under- 
stand quite  enough,"  replied  Antonia,  "but  what 
can  you  mean  to  do  with  him,  after  all?" 
«  Why,  my  dear  love,  just  this  " — and  Valdaria 
whispered  to  his  wife,  as  if  he  feared  he  might 
be  overheard. 

Next  morning  Capt  Dodge  made  his  appear- 
ance at  breakfast  in  such  a  smiling  mood  that  it 
was  generally  supposed  he  had  been  making  a 
great  bargain.  His  good  humour  was  lasting — 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  97 

he  must  have  been  making  money,  for  he  spent 
all  his  time  on  shore,  day  and  night.  Where  he 
was  in  the  evening,  no  one  knew  but  you  and  I. 

In  tho  mean  time  the  Jared  Spriggins  was 
nearly  loaded,  and  her  commander  began  to  close 
up  his  accounts,  and  especially  to  take  measures 
to  wind  up  his  matrimonial  project.  He  hinted 
as  much  on  the  fourth  evening  of  his  courtship. 

"My  dear  friend,"  said  the  faithful  ally  and 
affectionate  brother,  "Antonia  feels  as  anxious 
to  bring  matters  to  a  close  as  yourself.  But 
what  is  to  be  done  ?  I  know  my  father  would 
not  sanction  the  connection — what  can  be 
done?" 

"  Well,  your  father  appears  to  be  an  obstinate 
old  hunks,  any  way,"  replied  Enoch — "I  don't 
see  no  other  way  then,  but  for  her  to  cut  and 
run." 

"Cut  and  run?" 

"Yes,  'lope." 

"  You  mean  a  secret  marriage,  and  then  for 
her  to  leave  with  you  ?' ' 

"  Exactly,  and  though  I'm  tolable  well  to  do 
in  the  world,  why  if  she  has  any  money  about 
her  she  might  as  well  take  it.  you  know." 

"My  good  friend,"  said  Valdaria,  "I  don't 
know  if  I  am  doing  right  to  encourage  my  sis- 
ter to  elope  with  you,  and  thus  break  the  heart 
of  her  parents — and  beside,  perhaps  never  again 
to  see  her  myself,"  and  he  put  his  handkerchief  to 
his  eyes — "  but  she  has  set  her  heart  upon  you, 


98  CAPTAIN    DODGE. 

and  I  see  no  other  way.  In  regard  to  money, 
she  has  abundance  in  her  own  right,  and  it  can 
be  easily  converted  into  jewels." 

This  communication,  and  particularly  the  lat- 
ter part  of  it,  produced  a  thrill  of  pleasure  which 
caused  every  nerve  in  the  animal  econorny  of 
Enoch  Dodge  to  vibrate  with  joy. 

"You  are  a  trump,  Mr.  Valleydeer,"  exclaim- 
ed he,  springing  to  his  feet  and  gripping  Valda- 
ria's  hand.  "You  are  a  trump,  that's  a  fact! 
•As  to  the  money,  that's  no  object.  Still,  I'd  like 
to  see  her  dress  respectable,  you  know,  when  she 
goes  a  visitin'  to  hum.  Our  folks  are  very  par- 
tikiler.  Well,  about  the  weddin'  then;  it  ain't 
best  to  make  much  fuss,  is  it?  best  be  quick 
about  it." 

"Oh,  no!  by  no  means,"  replied  the  Senor. 
"I'll  arrange  all  that ;  as  you  say,  the  sooner  the 
better;  though  it's  a  hard  trial  to  me;  what  say 
you  to  to-morrow  night?" 

"Any  time's  agreeable  to  me.  that  suits  the 
lovely  Antonee,"  said  our  hero,  leering  at  the 
beautiful  Senora,  who  returned  his  ape-look 
with  an  enchanting  smile. 

"Well,  then,"  continued  Valdaria,  "you  must 
have  your  boat  ready  to-morrow  night,  and  I'll 
bring  Antonia  at  eleven  o'clock  to  the  church  of 
San  Francisco.  The  priest  shall  be  in  attend- 
ance, and  though  it  is  best  to  be  as  secret  as  pos- 
sible, you  had  better  bring  a  few  friends  to  see 
you  safely  oif.  Yes,  I'll  have  it  all  arranged. 


CAPTAIN  DODGE.  99 

But  it  is  hard  thus  to  part  with  a  dear  sister," 
and  he  kissed  Antonia,  and  folded  her  to  his 
bosom. 

"Oh  mi  queridita — Amor  de  mi  vida,"  yelp- 
ed Enoch,  and  he  was  about  to  follow  suit,  when 
Valdaria  cautioned  him  to  moderate  his  trans- 
ports, and  take  the  kisses  after  the  nuptial  knot 
was  tied. 

u  And  I'll  be  whipped  if  I  don't,  you  may  de- 
pend," said  the  happy  bridegroom  in  anticipa- 
tion. "Well,  I  must  say  for  you,  Mr.  Valley- 
deer,  you're  one  of  the  most  comidating  chaps  I 
ever  fell  in  with.  One  good  turn  deserves  ano- 
ther— and  if  ever  you  come  our  way,  you'll  be 
welcome  to  stop  at  our  house — or  if  there's  any 
thing  in  my  line  for  your  convenience,  I'll  do  it 
free  of  expense— that  is.  no  more  than  actooal 
cost."  And  Capt.  Dodge  soon  took  his  leave, 
congratulating  himself  on  the  happy  and  expe- 
ditious manner  in  which  he  had  conducted 
"  this  little  job." 

All  the  next  day  he  grinned  as  if  he  had  a 
blister  on  the  back  of  each  ear — he  absolutely 
looked  horribly  happy.  Still  he  kept  his  secret 
profoundly  till  evening,  when,  having  called  a 
few  of  us  into  his  room,  he  divulged  it,  and  re- 
quested our  attendance  at  the  ceremony.  Long 
and  loud  were  the  cheers  he  received. 

"Hush,  boys— hush!"  said  Enoch— "don't 
for  goodness  gracious  make  such  a  racket." 

Eleven  o'clock  came,  and  found  us  all,  espe- 


100  CAPTAIN    DODGE. 

cially  the  happy  man,  in  high  spirits,  and  thus 
we  adjourned  to  the  church. 

A  venerable  structure  is  the  church  of  San 
Francisco.  Where  are  now  the  hands  that  rear- 
ed its  gloomy  and  moss-covered  walls  ?  Where 
are  the  generations  whom  the  deep  tones  of  its 
bell  have  called  successively  to  worship  in  its 
sacred  cloisters?  Their  dust  has  been  long  since 
mingled  with  the  dust  of  the  earth.  Their  his- 
tory and  very  names  are  forgotten,  while  this 
remnant  of  antiquity  stands  proudly  solemn,  and 
will  stand  when  the  names  of  succeeding  gene- 
rations have  alike  passed  into  oblivion  with 
those  of  their  ancestors.  In  spite  of  our  disposi- 
tion to  be  merry,  such  thoughts  as  these  ob- 
truded themselves  as  we  entered  the  side  portal, 
and  our  steps  echoed  among  the  vaulted  arches. 
It  seemed  really  too  solemn  a  place  for  the  mar- 
riage of  Enoch  Dodge.  The  shutters  were 
closed,  and  a  dim  light  burned  near  the  altar, 
where  the  officiating  priest  had  already  placed 
himself,  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  bridal  party. 
He  took  no  notice  of  us,  and  we  seated  our- 
selves in  a  recess.  A  death-like  stillness  per- 
vaded the  place,  and  even  Capt.  Dodge's  shrill 
voice  subsided  into  a  whisper,  when  he  observed 
that  it  was  "  considerable  of  a  large  meetin'- 
hus."  We  were  not  however  kept  long  in  sus- 
pense.— The  door  again  opened,  and  the  Senor 
Yaldaria  made  his  appearance,  with  the  lady  lean- 
ing on  his  arm.  She  was  dressed  in  white,  and 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  101 

a  long  veil  concealed  her  lovely  features,  on 
which  we  should  have  delighted  to  have  gazed  ; 
but  custom  forbade.  The  priest  beckoned  to  us, 
and  we  all  entered  the  great  aisle  of  the  church. 
He  then  motioned  to  the  bride  and  bridegroom, 
who  approached  the  altar.  The  service  was 
performed — the  ring  presented — the  benediction 
on  Enoch  and  Antonia  fully  pronounced,  and 
Capt.  Dodge,  of  the  barque  "  Jared  Spriggins,"  of 
Portland,  was  a  married  man  !  Had  there  re- 
mained any  doubt  upon  that  subject,  the  first 
kiss  of  love  which  Valdaria  now  allowed  him  to 
print  on  the  veil  which  covered  the  blushing 
face  of  the  bride,  and  which  kiss  made  the  con- 
cave roof  of  the  old  church  ring  again,  was  con- 
clusive. 

We  escorted  them  to  the  boat,  which  was  in 
waiting.  Upon  reaching  the  landing,  it  ap- 
peared that  some  trunks  and  two  small  kegs  had 
preceded  us ;  and  the  second  officer,  who  was  in 
charge  of  the  boat,  assured  his  superior  that  the 
latter  were  "  considerable  heavy."  All  these 
were  duly  stowed,  and  Valdaria  approached  to 
take  leave  of  his  sister.  He  had  schooled  him- 
self for  the  trial,  as  he  told  his  brother-in-law, 
and  behaved  like  a  man.  He  merely  took  An- 
tonia's  hand  in  his  own  for  a  moment,  invoked 
the  blessing  of  heaven  upon  her  happy  union, 
and  charged  Enoch  not  to  forget  his  marriage 
vows.  The  latter  threw  his  arms  around  the 
neck  of  his  wife,  and  expressed  his  desire  to  be 


102  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

"  tetotaciously  ramsquaddled"  if  he  ever  did 
forget  them.  This  overcame  the  feelings  of  the 
brother,  who  put  his  handkerchief  to  his  face, 
and  leaned  his  head  upon  my  shoulder,  until 
the  boat  was  out  of  sight. 

"Gentlemen,"  said  the  bridegroom,  standing 
up  in  the  stern-sheets,  ("sit  down,  Antonee, 
dear,  I  ain't  a  goin'  ashore  agin  to-night,")  and 
he  chucked  her  under  the  chin;  "gentlemen,  I 
shall  spect  your  company  to-morrow  at  half  past 
twelve,  to  dinner  aboard  the  '  Jared  Spriggins.'  I 
mean  to  have  a  good  time  on  the  'casion,  but  I 
want  you  should  behave  yourselves,  and  re- 
member what's  due  to  woman's  society — that's 
all — let  fall — give  way,  boys — pull  like  the  old 
scratch;"  and  the  "Jared  Spriggins' s"  yawl — gig 
— pinnace — dingy — cutter — for  she  was  one  and 
all  of  these,  as  suited  the  occasion,  shot  out  into 
the  stream,  followed  by  such  a  cheer  as  nearly 
brought  the  police  upon  us. 

That  evening,  after  they  had  reached  the  ship, 
and  retired  to  the  cabin  of  the  "Jared  Spriggins," 
Captain  Dodge  removed  the  veil  from  the  fea- 
tures of  his  wife,  and  beheld — not  Antonia  Val- 
daria — but  Antonia  de  la  Costa — a  woman,  in 
character  and  appearance,  quite  the  reverse  of 
Antonia  Valdaria  ! 

Enoch  gazed  a  moment  upon  her  faded 
charms,  and  then  jumped  from  his  seat,  and 
seizing  her  by  the  shoulders  nearly  shook  the 
remaining  teeth  out  of  her  head. 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  103 

"Dar — na — tion!"  yelled  he,  as  she  opened 
her  eyes — "  what — hey — oh  I^ord  !" 

"Miquerido!" 

"  Your  querido  !  you  miserable  creature — 
away  with  you  !" 

Enoch  "  had  waked  up  the  wrong  passen- 
ger." She  alighted  upon  him  after  the  manner 
of  the  turkey  buzzard — clawed  his  eyes,  and  sent 
him  reeling  to  the  other  side*  of  the  cabin. 

Antonia  de  la  Costa  possessed  one  advantage 
that  the  Senora  was  deficient  in.  She  had  many 
choice  English  phrases,  and  soon  explained  to 
his  wondering  ears,  the  relation  subsisting 
be  ween  Valdaria  and  the  Sefiora,  and  of  her  be- 
ing employed  by  the  former  to  personate  the  lat- 
ter at  the  altar. 

"  You  married  Antonia — I'm  Antonia — I'm 
your  wife !" 

This  logic  was  good,  and  Dodge  could  not  de- 
ny it — so  he  turned  for  consolation  to  the  trunks 
and  kegs. 

The  first  contained  his  lady's  wearing  apparel, 
and  the  latter,  sand  of  a  superior  quality,  suita- 
ble for  scrubbing  the  cabin  floor ! 

This  last  discovery  well  nigh  crazed  our  wor- 
thy friend,  to  whom  "money  was  no  object." 
He  flew  about  the  cabin  in  an  uncontrollable  rage, 
execrating  both  the  Antonias — Valdaria — him- 
self and  every  body  else,  until  he  became  com- 
posed, from  sheer  exhaustion,  and  began  to  re- 
flect 


104  CAPTAIN    DODGE. 

"  I'll  apply  to  the  Legislatoor  for  a  divorce — but 
it  won't  do  to  carry  her  home  amongst  our  folks 
— besides,  I  can't  afford  it.  No — it  must  be  done 
here.  I'd  kill  her  if  I  dared,"  thought  he,  as  he 
looked  at  the  vixen  and  ground  his  teeth. 

"  Come  you — dress  yourself — git  into  the  boat 
and  go  ashore  !" 

But  the  lady  preferred  to  remain  onboard,  and 
her  husband  had  already  gained  sufficient  ex- 
perience of  her  prowess,  not  to  attempt  physical 
force — and  he  resorted  to  threats,  persuasions, 
entreaties  and  promises,  to  no  purpose. 

Poor  Enoch  was  obliged  to  leave  her  in  com- 
mand of  the  bark  till  morning,  when  he  went 
alone.  He  steered  directly  for  Valdaria's  house, 
determined  at  all  events  to  wreak  vengeance  upon 
him.  But  he  and  his  lady  had  left  very  early 
for  the  country,  and  thus  escaped  the  conse- 
quences of  his  indignation. — He  ran  about  the 
streets  like  a  madman,  until  he  found  a  magis- 
trate— who  could  give  him  no  consolation,  and 
could  only  divorce  upon  the  full  consent  of  his 
lawful  wife.  Disappointed  and  distracted,  he  re- 
paired on  board  at  about  his  dinner  hour,  where 
we  also  arrived,  according  to  invitation. 

"Gentlemen,  cried  the  distracted  husband, 
"  I've  been  most  everlastingly  done.  That 
scoundrel,  Valley  deer  !" 

"  How  so?"  exclaimed  his  guests  in  amaze- 
ment. 

"Why,  go  down  in  the  cabin  and  see  my 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  105 

wife  !  yes,  wife,  and  my  kegs  of  jewels.  Oh ! 
oh  !  I'm  ruined — undone  ! 

The  poor  fellow's  distress  was  now  really  pit- 
iable. There  sat  Mrs.  Dodge  in  the  cabin,  quite 
at  home,  waiting,  as  she  said,  for  her  husband 
and  his  company  to  come  down  to  dinner ! 
"  Oh,  if  you  can  git  me  out  of  this  scrape,"  said 
Enoch,  "I'll  do  any  thing  in  creation  for  ye  all 
—oh— oh— oh  !  " 

We  all  accordingly  united  our  powers  of  per- 
suasion 4o  induce  Antonia  to  release  him  from 
his  engagements,  and  go  ashore.  At  first  she 
was  obstinate  as  a  mule,  but  when  Enoch  told 
out  two  hundred  hard  Spanish  dollars  upon  the 
table,  which  seemed  to  be  like  wringing  his  very 
soul  out,  she  consented  to  the  divorce,  and  sig- 
nified her  readiness  to  go  ashore  with  her  hus- 
band, and  dissolve  the  contract. 

The  news  of  the  affair  soon  spread  abroad  ; 
and  as  boats  from  other  vessels  passed  and  re- 
passed  under  the  stern  of  the  cc  Jared  Spriggins," 
many  were  the  polite  inquiries  after  the  health 
of  Mrs.  Dodge. 

Enoch  was  rejoiced  to  escape  from  Manila, 
and  on  the  very  next  day,  being  ready  for  sea, 
tripped  his  anchor  with  a  hearty  good  will,  and 
stood  down  the  bay.  As  he  passed  us  with  a 
fresh  breeze,  I  wished  him  a  pleasant  passage, 
and  could  not  avoid  asking  if  he  had  any  com- 
mands for  Mrs.  Dodge,  as  I  was  just  going  on 
shore. 


106  CAPTAIN   DODGE. 

"  Gaul — darn — ye,"  yelled  Captain  Enoch 
Dodge,  "loose  the  main-to'-gan'-sail  there  !" 

In  due  time  the  "  Jared  Spriggins  "  arrived  in 
Boston,  and  great  was  the  haste  with  which 
Capt.  Dodge  landed  after  his  vessel  was  anchor- 
ed in  the  stream,  and  he  had  left  orders  with 
the  mate  not  to  haul  in  for  three  days,  and  to 
give  the  crew  no  money,  that  they  might  be  pre- 
vented from  going  home.  His  entry  at  the  cus- 
tom house  was  speedily  made,  and  he  embarked 
the  same  evening  on  board  the  Portland  boat, 
though  without  his  "  family."  His  mind  was 
occupied  during  the  passage,  in  discussing  the 
relative  advantages  of  the  Misses  Mudge  and 
Stebbins,  for  one  or  the  other  of  these  ladies  he 
was  determined  to  secure,  before  the  news  of  his 
Manila  marriage  and  divorce  should  be  divulged 
by  the  crew.  But  his  uncertainty  was  soon 
ended,  by  information  he  received  on  board  the 
boat,  that  old  Hiram  Stebbins  had  recently  be- 
come immensely  rich  by  a  great  land  specula- 
tion, and  instanter  Miss  Sally  Stebbins  was  gifted 
with  new  charms. 

The  flash  East  India  captain,  Enoch  Dodge, 
felt  himself  a  bug  of  the  first  magnitude,  when 
he  landed  among  the  Sacarappers,  and  made  his 
way  through  piles  of  lumber  and  tiers  of  molas- 
ses casks,  steering  in  as  direct  a  course  as  these 
impediments  would  allow,  for  the  house  of 'Squire 
Stebbins.  Sally  opened  the  door  in  person. 

"Oh  my  dear,  charming,  lovely  critter,"  ejac- 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  107 

ulated  Enoch,  "  you  sweeter  than  all  the  chera- 
bims  of  the  spicy  pomegranate  gardens  of  the 
East.  Oh,  thank  fortune,  I  have  at  last  return- 
ed to  fold  you  in  my  arms !  You  haint  been 
out  of  my  thoughts  one  blessed  minnit  sence  I've 
been  gone."  Enoch, — what  a  whapper  ! 

Who  could  resist  such  a  lion  as  the  East  India 
captain !  The  blushing  Sally  surrendered  with- 
out terms,  and  the  'Squire  consented  without 
much  ado ;  and  as  he  intended  to  fail  in  a  few 
days,  hastened  the  ceremony  of  their  marriage, 
from  the  double  motive  of  making  sure  of  Cap- 
tain Dodge,  and  of  using  the  funds  of  his  credi- 
tors while  yet  in  his  power  to  give  the  happy 
pair  a  splendid  entertainment.  The  ceremony 
passed  off  accordingly,  in  grand  style,  and  for 
one  whole  week  Captain  and  Mrs.  Dodge  enjoy- 
ed the  full  sunshine  of  matrimonial  felicity,  dur- 
ing which  time  jealousy  made  a  hearty  meal 
upon  the  vitals  of  Miss  Nancy  Mudge.  But, 
and  I  must  be  excused  for  introducing  a  worn- 
out  quotation. 

"  A  change  came  o'er  the  spirit  of  (their)  dream," 

and,  to  use  the  language  of  the  same  author, 

(Their)  "  dawn  of  life  was  overcast ;" 

or  as  Captain  Dodge  himself  more  beautifully 
and  poetically  expressed  it,  "  the  honey-moon 
got  knocked  in  the  head." 

This  full  sunshine  became  moonshine  by  the 
news  of  Enoch's  Manila  adventures  reaching 


108  CAPTAIN    DODGE. 

the  ears  of  his  wife  on  the  same  day  that  'Squire 
Stebbins's  failure  became  known  to  that  gentle- 
man to  whom  "  money  was  no  object."  Let  us 
not  again  approach  the  curtains  that  conceal 
domestic  joy  and  wo  :  but  it  may  be  mentioned 
that  the  bridegroom  had  the  prudence  not  to  use 
any  harsh  epithets,  and  that  however  long  and 
severe  the  lecture  he  received  undoubtedly  was, 
it  was  not  accompanied  by  any  of  the  other  fem- 
inine accomplishments  displayed  on  a  former  oc- 
casion. 

The  Xantippe  was  rather  personated  than  the 
Wild  Cat;  and  though  during  that  tempestuous 
night,  Enoch  entertained  thoughts  of  buying  off 
again,  they  were  soon  chased  away  by  the  reflec- 
tion that  such  was  too  expensive  an  expedient  to 
be  often  resorted  to.  Happy  it  was  for  him,  that 
such  considerations  prevailed.  He  was  not  a 
Socrates  for  life.  Though  the  clouds  did  indeed 
look  black,  and  there  was  every  indication  of  a 
long  continued  gale,  it  all  ended  in  a  mere 
squall.  The  morning  light  chased  every  tear 
from  the  eyes  of  Sally,  and  its  brightening  rays 
reflected  on  her  reconciled  face,  and  Enoch 
really  found  that  "  money  was  no  object"  to  a 
man  that  was  blessed  with  such  a  wife. 

Four  years  since,  being  on  aVisit  at  Portland, 
I  fell  in  with  Captain  Dodge,  who  informed  me 
that  he  had  been  ever  since  in  the  Sacarappa 
trade,  and  very  cordially  invited  me  to  a  "pret- 
ty considerable  tea  party"  at  his  house,  hinting 


CAPTAIN    DODGE.  109 

v 

that  it  would  gratify  him  if  our  conversaton 
was  confined  to  matters  and  things  on  tUte  side 
of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  that  any  allusion^ 
would  be  unpleasant  that  touched  upon  "that 
everlastin'  disagreeable  place,  Manila." 

There  I  spent  a  very  pleasant  evening,  and 
Mrs.  Dodge  presided  much  better  on  such  an  oc- 
casion than  the  veritable  Senora  Valdaria  would 
have  done. 

When  on  my  next  voyage  to  Manila,  I  re- 
counted Enoch's  domestic  felicity  to  the  Senora ; 
and  she  sent  Mrs.  Dodge  a  splendid  pifia  dress, 
which  excites  the  admiration  and  jealousy  of  all 
down  east ;  and  as  it  must  be  a  satisfaction  to 
any  one  to  reflect  that  he  has  been  the  means  of 
improving  the  condition  of  frail  humanity, 
Enoch  was  of  course  gratified  to  learn  that  the 
first  Mrs.  Dodge,  with  a  credit  based  upon  his 
two  hundred  dollars  and  as  much  more  liberally 
\bestowed  by  the  Senor  Valdaria,  had  become 
proprietress  of  a  hotel,  which  bids  fair  to  rival  that 
of  the  lamented  Don  Bernardo  Antlemann ;  and, 
kind  reader,  should  you  ever  visit  Manila,  you 
will  find  the  best  of  entertainment  at  the  "Casa 
dp  Huespedes,"  por  la  Senora  Dodge. 
6 


THE  PRETTY  MISSIONARY 


HOWEVER  much  the  usefulness  of  Missionaries 
in  foreign  lands  may  be  questioned  by  those 
who  have  no  other  means  of  forming  opinions 
than  from  the  overstrained  reports  of  the  religious 
press  on  the  one  hand,  and  from  those  of  irreli- 
gious travellers  on  the  other,  it  will  be  allowed 
by  such  as  have  been  among  them,  and  are  dis- 
posed to  be  candid,  that  if  they  have  not  already 
accomplished  any  thing  decisive,  they  have  at 
least  laid  the  foundation  of  great  good,  and  future 
generations  will  gather  the  fruits  of  the  seed 
they  have  sown,  which,  though  long  buried  in 
the  earth,  will  spring  up  and  produce  an  abun- 
dant harvest. 

And  now,  having  hazarded  what  I  believe  to 
be  a  candid  opinion,  I  have  no  doubt  that  the 
one  party  (should  either  condescend  to  notice  it) 
will  merely  shrug  their  shoulders  and  say, 
1  That  man  is  prejudiced:  there  have  been  no 
overstrained  reports.  Look  at  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  with  their  overflowing  churches,  and 


THE    PRETTY   MISSIONARY.  Ill 

| 

hear  how  eagerly  the  heathen  every  w^era  re- 
ceive tracts  !     And  read  the  letters  that%heWn 
verts  themselves  write  home !     O,  he's 
diced!" 

s  The  other  side  will  simply  observe,  "  That 
man  is  half  a  Missionary  himself.  Talk  about 
the  good  that  will  result!  Nonsense! — let's 
know  what  has  resulted."  So  that  in  this  case 
the  maxim,  "In  media  tutissimus  ibis"  does  not 
hold  good,  for  the  unsparing  lash  of  criticism 
would  come  from  both  sides  upon  the  shoulders 
of  him  who  thus  runs  the  gauntlet.  Such  being 
the  punishment,  which  is  likely  to  increase  if  we 
still  go  on  to  sin,  it  will  be  prudent  to  leave 
such  matters  to  themselves,  and  proceed,  without 
further  preface  or  comment,  to  notice  the  time 
and  occasion  upon  which  the  Cornelia  sailed  for 
the  East  Indies,  with  a  numerous  company  of 
Missionaries  on  board. 

It  was  a  summer's  day,  and  a  light  breeze  had 
sprung  up  from  the  westward,  when,  being 
ready  for  sea,  the  topsails  were  mast-headed, 
and  the  pilot  announced  that  all  who  were  not 
going  to  sea  must  now  step  on  shore.  A  little 
delay  was  requested.  The  wharf  was  crowded 
with  spectators,  looking  upon  the  unusual  scene 
which  was  that  day  presented.  At  a  signal,  every 
head  was  uncovered,  and  a  venerable  clergyman 
arose  to  commend  the  band  of  adventurers  to 

the  care  of  Heaven.  In  his  eloquent  petitions 
he  included  us  all ; .  and  seldom,  if  ever,  did  a 


112  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

.company  leave  the  wharf  bearing  with 
tffe  prayers  and  good  wishes  of  so  numer- 
an  assembly.  The  bow-fast  was  cast  off, 
and  as  the  ship  swung  round,  filling  her  sails, 
and  the  stern- fast  was  let  go,  three  hearty  cheers 
were  given  by  the  multitude,  which  we  answer- 
ed in  our  usual  style.  As  it  subsided,  the  united 
voices  of  the  passengers  rose  upon  the  air,  in 
clear  and  distinct  tones,  swelling  the  great  Mis- 
sionary Anthem  with  an  effect  that  could  never 
be  produced  by  the  organs  and  choirs  of  cathe- 
drals ;  and  ere  they  had  completed  it,  the  sound 
of  their  voices  died  faintly  away  upon  the  ears 
of  the  friends  they  were  so  rapidly  distancing. 

Most  of  the  company  had  never  before  even 
seen  a  ship  ;  and  as  we  passed  down  among  the 
beautiful  islands  thai  stud  our  harbor,  they 
gazed  with  wonder  and  delight  upon  the  charm- 
ing novelties  presented  to  their  view.  But  as 
they  gazed,  their  thoughts  wandered  to  the  dear 
homes  and  friends  they  were  leaving,  perhaps 
never  more  to  see  again.  When  the  last  link 
was  broken,  as 'they  put  their  farewell  letters  into 
the  parting  pilot's  hands,  a  feeling  of  desolation 
came  over  them ;  and  when  the  shades  of  even- 
ing drew  around  them,  gradually  shrouding 
their  native  land  from  sight,  till  at  last  it  for- 
ever disappeared,  they  turned  and  went  below, 
many  sorrowing  with  tears,  and  one  wept  as  if 
her  gentle  bosom  would  burst  with  a  pang  she 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  113 

before  had  faintly  imagined,  but  never  had  felt 
till  now. 

She  was  indeed  alone.  Others  had  their  wed- 
ded companions  with  whom  to  derive  mutual 
consolation,  but  this  enthusiastic  girl  had  left 
her  parents  and  home,  to  be  a  companion  to  one 
of  the  more  aged  couples,  persuading  herself  that 
she  could  thus  do  more  service  to  her  Maker 
than  in  the  domestic  walk  of  life  in  which  his 
goodness  had  placed  her. 

."  I  tell  you  what,  my  boy,  you  may  say  what 
you  like,  but  I  calls  it  unlucky,"  said  old  Jack  to 
me  one  night. — "I've  been  going  to  sea  now 
nigh  upon  thirty  years,  but  there  never  came  any 
luck  where  there  was  a  woman  or  a  parson  on 
board- — and  here  there's  nine  women  and  eight 
parsons,  and  so  to  my  notion  there's  seventeen 
chances  to  nothing  against  us.  It's  unlucky,  I 
tell  you.  I  was  in  the  old  "  Mary  Jane,"  and  the 
Captain  had  his  wife  aboard,  and  the  first  thing 
we  knew,  plump  we  went  on  to  the  Gingerbread 
Ground.  Well,  the  wreckers  took  us  off,  to  be 
sure,  but  the  old  ship  was  lost.  So  much  luck 
for  a  woman  !" 

"  Was  the  Captain  on  deck  when  she  struck  7" 
said  I. 

"  No,  he  was  turned  in." 

"Oho  !  well — so  much  bad  luck  for  the  Cap- 
tain's wife  being  on  board,  not  so  much  because 
of  a  woman." 

"  Well,  then,"  continued  old  Jack,  somewhat 


114  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

snappishly,  "I  was  coming  down  the  Baltic 
once,  and  we  had  a  woman  aboard,  and  she 
won't  the  Captain's  wife.  Ah,  that  was  a  hard 
time,  late  in  the  season,  you  see,  no  day  there, 
all  night,  and  an  eternal  head  wind.  We  were 
standing  along  one  night  under  double  reefs, 
when  I  sees  breakers  !  and  sings  out '  Breakers  P 
*  Where  a  way  ?'  says  the  Captain.  *  All  the 
way  under  our  lee,  sir,'  says  I.  '  Call  all  hands 
there.'  says  the  Captain — '  Rouse  'em  out  quick, 
turn  a  reef  out  of  the  topsails,  and  loose  the  jib 
and  mainsail.  Now,  be  lively,  boys  !'  He  said 
it  all,  just  as  cool  as  if  it  had  been  calm,  in  the 
middle  of  the  Atlantic.  But  we  knew  him,  and 
loved  him  too,  and  all  hands  were  on  deck,  and 
sail  made  sooner  than  if  there  had  been  a  flurry 
and  swearing,  and  the  like  o'  that.  When  we 
got  the  sail  on  to  her,  she  began  to  jump  into  and 
through  it,  like  a  mad  bull.  But  it  was  no  use, 
she  couldn't  weather  the  breakers  on  that  tack, 
and  now  we  could  hear  'em  as  well  as  see  them, 
roaring,  dancing  and  flying,'  like  so  many  live 
monsters,  that  were  only  waiting  to  get  us  in 
their  clutches.  I  see  the  captain  stand  a  minute 
and  think,  and  I  rather  guess  he  thought  this  : 
1  There's  them  breakers  all  along  from  the  lee 
bow  to  the  quarter.  Now  if  I  ware  her,  she'll 
like  enough  go  ashore  before  she  comes  up  to  the 
wind  on  t'other  tack.'  <  Stations  for  stays  !'  says 
he  ;  '  all  ready,  fore  and  aft?'  'All  ready,  sir  !' 
'  Ease  your  helm  down' — ;  Hard  a  lee  !'  (  Ha-a- 


THE    PRETTY   MISSIONARY.  115 

ard  a  lee  '"  answered  the  mate.    Slat  went  the 
jib,  as  she  came  up  in  the  wind.     The  head  sails 
took   aback ;    she'll   go  round,    thinks   I,   glad 
enough.     Ah,  but  she  didn't,   though;  for  just 
then,  she  fetched  a  dive,  and  a  tremendous  sea 
came  over  the  bows  and  rolled  aft,  taking  every 
thing  off  the  decks,  and  rattling  the  fore  topmast 
down  over  our  heads.     <  Let  go  the  maintopsail 
haulyards,'  shouted  the  Captain — '  Haul  up  the 
courses   and  let  go  the  anchor!'     It  took  some 
minutes  to  get  the   anchor  clear,  and  by  that 
time  we  were  almost  in  the  rollers.     At  last  we 
let  it  go,  but  the  chain  snapped.     Away  we  went 
dead  to  leeward,  and  cleared  away  t'other  anchor 
as  soon  as  we  could,  but  that  fared  the  same  as 
the  other,  and  we  brought  up  in  the   breakers. 
After  thumping  once  or  twice,  all  could  see  that 
the  brig  was  going  to  pieces,  and  the   captain 
sung  out  'Save   yourselves  there,  and  God  bless 
you!'  and  as  he  said  it,  overboard  he  went  with 
something  white  in  his  arms.     Some  said  it  was 
a  patent  swimming  machine;  others  that  it  was 
his  clothes-bag ;  most    thought   it  was  a  ghost, 
but  I  said  it  was  that  woman  !     Well,  when,  we 
got  ashore,  some  swimming,  and  some  because 
they  couldn't  help  it,  on  Bornholm,  we  begins  to 
look  round,  and  mustered  all  hands  to  see  who 
was  missing.     We  were  all  there  but  the  captain 
and  that  woman  I     And  I  proved  myself  right, 
when  we  found  'em  next  morning,  hove  up  on 
the  beach,  with  his  left  arm  clinched  round  her 


116  THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

waist,  as  taut  and  hard  as  an  iron  strap  round  a 
wheel  block  ;  and  I  rather  think  I've  proved  my- 
self right  again,  when  I  told  you  there  was  no 
luck  with  a  woman  aboard.  And  as  to  par- 
sons— " 

"But  stop,  slop,  one  thing  at  a  time,"  said  I. 
"  You  are  right  in  this  instance,  so  far  as  that  it 
was  unfortunate  for  the  captain,  who  might  have 
saved  his  own  life,  but  for  the  woman ;  but  I 
can't  see  how  she  had  any  thing  to  do  with  the 
dark  nights  and  stormy  weather  that  always 
happen  there  at  that  season,  and  make  the  navi- 
gation so  dangerous,  and  which  caused  the  loss 
of  the  brig."  ..-t-^;- 

"  Now  it's  no  use  for  you  to  talk,"  said  old 
Jack,  right  angry.  u  wasn't  I  there?  and  hadn't 
I  ought  to  know  ?" 

As  this  is  one  instance  among  many  of  the  use  of 
this  argument.  I  may  l:e  allowed  to  say  that  it  is  a 
knock-down  one  in  the  forecastle.    If  a  discussion 
fall  upon  the  climate  and  soil  of  France,  or  upon 
the  religion  and  domestic  manners  of  the  Chinese, 
if  one  of  the  disputants  should  have  had  the  good 
fortune  to  have  been  in  the  port  of  Havre,  or  in 
Whampoa  reach — however   strong  the  tide    of 
argument  might  be  against  him,  when  directed 
by  a  less  travelled  ship-mate,  he  has  only  to  say 
"  I've  been  there  !"  and  the  question  is  settled, 
nem.  con.    So  in  this  instance,  I  was  obliged  to 
hold  my  peace,    for     sure   enough.  "Jack    was 
there!" 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  117 

Mr.  Landsman,  did  you  ever  see  a  gale  of 
wind?  I'll  answer  for  you — never.  Neither 
upon  the  ocean  did  I  ever  see  such  an  one  as  upon 
this  voyage — ay,  it  must  have  blown  hard, 
when  old  Jack  himself  acknowledged  that  he  had 
never  seen  it  blow  harder.  Of  ail  places  upon 
the  ocean  where  to  encounter  a  heavy  gale,  let 
it  be  any  where  else  excepting  in  the  Gulf  Stream. 
The  constant  current  of  warm  water  from  the 
southern  latitudes  makes  a  continued  disturb- 
ance in  the  atmosphere,  and  rarely,  if  ever,  does 
a  vessel  cross  it  in  any  season,  without  feeling 
its  effects.  The  \vind,  although  coming  in  sud- 
den and  furious  gusts,  and  making  it  sufficiently 
unpleasant,  is  nothing  in  comparison  with  the  short 
and  irregular  sea  that  is  caused  by  its  opposing 
efforts  to  the  force  of  the  current.  After  contend- 
ing against  southeasterly  winds  for  five  or  six 
days,  and  getting  into  the  middle  of  the  stream, 
the  wind  suddenly  shifted  to  the  northward,  and 
blew  with  unexampled  fury.  Sail  was  reduced  as 
fast  as  possible — fortunately  little  was  upon  the 
ship  at  the  time,  so  that  our  labour  was  less.  The 
sea  did  not  rise  at  once,  and  we  went  off  before 
the  gale  as  dryly  as  one  might  wish.  The  sea- 
sick-passengers had  generally  recovered,  and  al- 
though naturally  terrified  at  the  novelties  around 
them,  they  placed  confidence  in  the  word  of  the 
Captain,  that  no  danger  was  to  be  apprehended, 
and  soon  became  familiarized  to  the  scene.  For 
who,  however  timid  he  may  be  from  natural 
6* 


118  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

disposition,  can  look  upon  the  ocean  in  a  time  of 
its  rage,  and  hear  the  mad  roar  of  the  crested 
billows,  without  losing  all  thoughts  but,  those 
awakened  by  the  majesty  of  nature  displayed 
above  and  beneath  him?  Lakes,  rivers,  forests 
and  mountains  are  beautiful,  and  indeed  sublime. 
But  are  they  animated  beings  like  the  waves  of 
the  ocean,  whose  hoarse  and  hollow  voices  are 
ever  speaking  in  the  sailor's  ear — not  only  show- 
ing him,  but  telling  him  in  tones  louder  and  more 
distinct  than  all  homilies  ever  delivered,  "  The 
Lord  God  Omnipotent  reigneth  ?" 

Did  you  ever  know  an  infidel  sailor  ?  Wicked 
ones;  ay,  and  too  many  of  them  you  may  know. 
And  shame  to  us  all  for  it!  Give  but  a  small 
proportion  of  what  you  bestow  upon  mission- 
ary, education,  tract,  prison  discipline,  and  other 
societies ;  all  good  enough,  but  not  so  pre-emi- 
nently good  as  to  engross  all  your  benevolence, 
to  relieve  the  moral  and  physical  wants  of  those 
whoso  life  is  truly  on  the  mountain  wave,  whose 
home,  whose  only  home  is  upon  the  deep,  and 
whose  last  home  is  often  in  the  deep's  unfathom- 
ed  caves ;  give  your  money  for  the  benefit  of  the 
seaman,  you  will  have  his  thanks  added  to  those 
of  an  approving  conscience,  and  you  may  live 
to  see  the  day  when  that  proverb  becomes  ex- 
tinct, "as  wicked  as  a  sailor." 

Oh,  but  that  gale  of  wind  !  pray  excuse  me 
for  running  off,  but  it  was  a  heavy  squall,  and 
when  such  a  one  strikes  me,  I  must  run  orf  a 


. 


,  THE   PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  119 

little;  but  now  it's  all  over,  I'll  endeavour  to  keep 
up  to  the  story. 

At  last  the  sea  commenced  rising,  and  became 
so  very  irregular,  that  it  was  a  difficult  matter 
to  steer  the  ship.  By  this  time  their  old  enemy, 
sea-sickness,  had  again  taken  possession  of  most 
of  the  passengers,  and  driven  them  to  their  berths 
below.  But  Isabella  Carroll  seemed  to  be  above 
all  sickness  or  fear  at  such  a  time  as  this.  As 
the  wild  storm  increased,  and  the  heaving  surges 
rose  higher  and  higher,  her  whole  soul  kindled 
with  rapture,  and,  as  my  honest  chum,  old  Jack, 
expressed  it,  it  shone  out  through  her  eyes. 

Oh,  she  was  beautiful !  There  she  stood  upon 
the  quarter  deck  spars,  refusing  to  go  below,  and 
gazing  upon  the  mad  ocean  and  the  angry  sky, 
with  such  flashing  eyes,  still  unconscious  that 
many  were  gazing  upon  herself  with  different  feel- 
ings, but  with  feelings  of  equal  admiration.  Her 
dark  hair  had  parted  from  its  moorings  and  fell 
upon  her  shoulders  and  blew  out  with  the  gale. 
Her  naked  shoulders  and  half  naked  bosom, 
white  as  the  sea  foam  that  fell  upon  it,  and  pure 
as  the  heart  that  beat  beneath  it,  could  not  but 
become  the  centre  of  attraction  for  all  eyes.  Oh, 
that  unconscious  girl  was  lovely  !  I  looked  upon 
her  as  a  guardian  angel  for  us  all,  for  sure  old 
ocean  must  soften  down  at  the  sight  of  her,  and 
the  gale  which  now  vents  its  wrath  upon  her  un- 
protected form,  will  relent.  But  no !  oh  no  !  see, 
the  wheel  rope  has  parted,  and  before  the  reliev- 


120  THE   PKETTY  MISSIONARY. 

ing  tackles  can  be  put  on,  the  ship  had  broached  to  ! 
Mr.  Maxwell,  the  chief  officer,  who  had  charge 
of  the  decks,  was  possessed  of  presence  of  mind 
for  any  such  emergency.  When  he  saw  that  the 
ship  must  inevitably  broach  to.  he  threw  off  the 
main  brace  and  eased  off  the  weather  main  top- 
sail brace,  as  she  came  to  the  wind,  which  she 
did,  after  shipping  a  fearful  sea  that  swept  our 
decks.  Though  many  things  went  overboard, 
we  were  about  congratulating  each  other  upon 
all  ending  so  well,  when  a  chill  of  horror  struck 
the  stoutest  heart,  as,  far  away  on  the  lee  quar- 
ter, when  the  seas  rose  and  fell,  appeared  the 
white  dress  of  Isabella  ! 

r  A  dozen  jackets  and  shirts  were  off  in  as  many 
seconds.  Neither  was  that  staunch  old  fellow, 
Jack,  among  the  last,  bad  as  the  luck,  appeared 
to  him  to  be  from  womankind. 

No  boat  could  be  lowered  into  such  a  sea  as 
that,  but.  all  were  ready  to  risk  their  lives. 

Ci  Avast,  there!"  cried  the  mate;  "  not  a  man 
of  you  goes  overboard  !  Loose  the  mizen  top- 
sail !" 

It  was  done  instantly ;  two  or  three  nimble 
fellows  running  aloft  and  cutting  the  gaskets, 
the  close-reefed  sail  fell  from  its  yard,  already 
braced  aback,  and  the  ship  gathered  stern  way 
as  we  hauled  home  the  sheets.  The  cross-jack 
yards  were  shivered,  backed  and  filled  as  occa- 
sion required,  and  the  ship  was  dropped  slowly, 
but  steadily  in  the  direction  of  Miss  Carroll. 


THE   PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  121 

By  this  time  the  captain  had  come  on  deck,  but 
was  so  unacquainted  with  what  had  happened 
and  was  going  on,  that  he  prudently  told  his  chief 
officer  to  take  care  of  the  ship.  He  did  so  until 
when  within  about  fifty  yards  from  the  object  of 
our  search,  he  resigned  the  ship  into  the  hands 
of  the  commander,  who  was  now  prepared  for 
the  responsibility,  and  partly  stripped,  plunged 
into  the  sea  and  swam  towards  the  unfortunate 
girl.  Well  that  he  did  so  in  time,  for  her  dress 
having  become  saturated,  could  no  longer  buoy 
her  up,  and  she  was  already  sinking  when  grasp- 
ed by  his,  vigorous  arm.  Being  an  excellent 
swimmer,  he  easily  sustained  himself  and  his 
insensible  burden  until  the  ship  dropped  down 
upon  them,  when  bowlines  and  coils  of  rope 
being  thrown  around  them,  both  were  safely 
landed  on  deck,  with  shouts  of  joyous  welcome, 
from  all  hands,  and  with  sincere  and  devout 
thanksgiving  from  all  the  passengers. 

"I  told  you  so,"  said  old  Jack,  after  the  affair 
was  over.  "  I  told  you  so  !  So  much  for  having 
a  woman  aboard." 

"So  much  for  having  one  overboard,"  said  I, 
"  and  no  harm  done  as  yet,  after  all,  notwith- 
standing your  croaking." 

"  Well,  for  that  matter,"  answered  he,  "  if 
she  had'nt  been  aboard  in  the  first  place,  how 
would  she  have  got  overboard  ?  Tell  me  that !" 

'•'Did  you  ever  get  dismasted.  Jack?" 


122  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

"  Did  I  ever  get  dismasted?  Why,  a  dozen 
times.  When  I  was  in  the  ship " 

"Never  mind  the  yarn,  now,"  said  I,  inter- 
rupting him,  "how  came  you  to  have  any  spars 
in  the  ship?  If  they  had'nt  been  there,  you 
would  not  have  lost  them." 

"  Pooh !  that's  nothing  to  do  with  it.  I  was 
in  the  ship  myself,  and  I  know  how  it  was !" 

Verdict  for  Jack,  nem.  con. 

There  is  an  almost  inexplicable  allurement 
that  the  sea  holds  forth  to  young  minds,  and  in- 
stils a  passion  into  them  scarcely  inferior,  and 
often  more  lasting,  than  the  passion  of  love  itself 
— and  which,  when  once  in  possession  of  the 
heart,  it  is  in  vain  to  use  endeavours  for  its  ex- 
pulsion— and  the  only  medicine  in  such  despe- 
rate cases,  is  experience,  which  will  certainly 
either  kill  or  cure.  It  would  not  seem  strange, 
were  this  passion  to  seize  upon  the  misanthropic, 
who  might  wish  to  free  themselves  as  much  as 
possible  from  what  they  call  the  trammels  of  so- 
ciety, those  who  even  pretend  to  be  still  un- 
satisfied with 

•"  A  lodge  in  some  vast  wilderness — 

Some  boundless  contiguity  of  shade," 

and  would  fain  get  at  a  greater  distance  from  civ- 
ilization. Why  do  they  not  seek  the  place 
where  they  can  live 

"  With  the  blue  above  and  the  blue  below, 
And  silence  wheresoe'er  they  go  ?" 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  123 

But  such  miserable  wretches  generally  prefer  to 
remain  at  home,  there  to  annoy  their  friends  and 
society  with  private  complaints  and  public  essays 
upon  the  deceitfulness,  lusts  and  crimes  of  man- 
kind, which  so  perpetually  come  in  contact  with 
their  own  truthfulness,  purity  and  good  morals, 
and  with  heaping  all  manner  of  calumny  upon 
this  lovely  world,  wherein  our  beneficent  Crea- 
tor has  placed  us,  and  where  the  use,  and  not 
the  abuse,  of  unnumbered  enjoyments  are  allow- 
ed us  by  his  kind  indulgence. 

Edward  Maxwell  was  certainly  as  far  from 
being  such  a  character  as  I  have  described,  as 
light  can  be  distant  from  darkness.  What  Mr. 
Snevellicci  said  of  the  ladies,  he  could  say  with 
truth  of  all  his  acquaintances,  "  He  loved  them, 
aad  they  loved  him." 

He  had  received  an  education  calculated  for  a 
different  (higher,  if  you  like  it)  profession  than 
the  one  in  which  he  was  now  engaged ;  but,  ac- 
tuated by  some  such  feelings  as  have  been  spo- 
ken of,  college  walls  could  not  confine  him,  and 
notwithstanding  the  wishes  of  his  friends,  he 
took  the  "  medicine,"  which  they  affirmed  killed 
him,  but  which  he  maintained  operated  success- 
fully and  agreeably  to  his  expectations.  He 
"came  in  at  the  hawsehole,"  and  by  zeal  and 
activity,  had  soon  acquired  information,  practice 
and  promotion,  so  that  now  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three,  he  was  first  officer  of  the  "Cornelia," 


1^4  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

with  the  promise  of  a  command  upon  his  re- 
turn. 

A  handsome  man,  too,  was  Mr.  Maxwell, 
But  as  it  requires  a  lady  to  describe  a  handsome 
man,  I  had  left  the  remainder  of  this  sheet  blank, 
to  be  filled  up  by  my  sister,  with  an  appropriate 
description  :  but  she  says  that  handsome  men 
have  gone  out  of  fashion,  at  least  are  very 
scarce — she  knows  quite  a  number  of  handsome 
monkeys  and  baboons — but  that  won't  do,  so  I 
shall  leave  it  to  any  fair  one,  who  may  honour 
these  pages  with  a  perusal,  to  arm  and  equip 
Mr.  Maxwell  according  to  her  own  fancy,  with 
hair  and  eyes  black  and  shining  as — coal  tar — 
or  light  and  blue,  as  she  may  mix  the  colours  in 
her  own  imagination. 

Now  it  was  not  at  all  surprising,  that  upon 
the  morning  after  the  accident,  when  Miss  Car- 
roll, having  recovered  entirely  from  its  effects, 
tripped  up  the  companion-way  before  any  of  the 
others  had  left  their  nests,  and  as  she  gained  the 
deck,  accepted  the  offered  support  of  Mr.  Max- 
well ;  I  say  it  was  not  at  all  surprising  that  she 
should  thank  him,  and  heartily  thank  him,  too, 
for  having  been  the  instrument  of  heaven  in  sav- 
ing her  life.  Neither  was  it  remarkable  that 
Mr.  Maxwell  should  feel  thankful  and  proud  of 
having  done  so :  and  as  she  grasped  his  hand  in 
fervent  gratitude  and  joy,  that  he  should  retain 
hers  somewhat  longer  than  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary ;  and  that  when  her  radiant  eyes  beamed 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  125 

upon  his  face,  was  it  strange  that  a  glance  should 
be  returned?  Oh,  reader,  think  of  tinder-boxes 
and — matches.  Well,  the  amount  of  it  all  was, 
that  Edward  Maxwell  was  in  love  with  Isabella 
Carroll,  and  Isabella  Carroll  was  in  the  same 
predicament  as  regarded  Edward  Maxwell. — A 
clear  and  manifest  truth,  although  nothing  was 
said  by  either  side,  or  to  any  one  else,  upon  the 
subject. 

For  my  own  part,  I  am  glad  that  the  thing 
was  accomplished  so  quickly,  so  naturally,  and 
so  easily — for  had  it  happened,  as  it  often  oc- 
curs, that  the  gentleman  loved  the  lady  who 
treated  him  with  neglect,  reducing  him  to  the 
necessity  of  learning  to  write  poetry  and  play 
upon  the  guitar,  and  then  suspecting  him,  and 
he  suspecting  her,  I  might  have  had  as  much 
trouble  to  explain  it  to  you  as  it  cost  the  talented 
author  of  "  Precaution"  to  bring  his  untractable 
lovers  to  an  understanding  and  to  tell  the  world 
the  story.  Ah,  but  how  can  Isabella  marry  Mr. 
Maxwell?  Who  said  she  did  marry  him  ?  How 
could  she,  indeed!  She  had  promised  her  life 
and  services  to  the  Missionary  Society,  and,  as 
it  were,  had  taken  the  veil.  No,  indeed,  you're 
right,  reader.  But  in  the  mean  time  there  certainly 
could  be  no  harm  in  Isabella's  rising  very  early 
upon  some  fine  mornings  to  see  the  splendid  sun 
risings,  and  sitting  up  late  some  evenings  to  look 
at  the  gentle  moon,  whose  beauty  reigned  su- 


126  THE   PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

preme  among  the  thousand  lesser  claimants  to 
admiration. 

O5  glorious  sights !  how  truly  has  the  sacred 
poet  said  of  us,  "  These  see  the  works  of  the 
Lord,  and  his  wonders  in  the  deep  !  "  Though 
years  have  elapsed  since  I  first  "sought  my 
ocean  home,"  I  still  gaze  with  unabated  admi- 
ration upon  the  sublimities  and  beauties  of  cre- 
ation which  it  affords — "  ever  varying,  ever 
new!"  Rise,  reader,  at  sea,  before  the  break 
of  day,  and  watch  the  gradual  opening  of  a 
cloudless  morning.  It  is  true,  there  is  nothing 
of  the  crowing  of  cocks  and  chirping  of  birds,  upon 
whose  assistance  your  rustic  poets  count  so 
much  to  usher  in  the  king  of  day — for  here 
unbroken  stillness  reigns.  There  are  no  moun- 
tains, trees,  or  works  of  human  hands,  to  ob- 
struct one  particle  of  the  view — no  intervening 
object  to  distract  the  attention  or  to  prevent  the 
minutest  shade  of  the  picture  from  exerting  its 
full  effect.  What  more  delicate  than  the  first 
blush  of  Aurora,  as  she  prepares  to  leave  her 
couch,  and  which  is  now  succeeded  by  a  deeper 
tinge  as  she  is  ready  to  unveil  her  beauties  be- 
fore us.  But  away  with  such  trifling  !  See  the 
flashing  sky.  and  the  rays  that  shoot  toward  the 
zenith  and  on  every  side,  bright  forerunners  of 
him  who  has  sent  them  to  tell  the  earth  of  his 
coming.  Slowly,  majestically,  yet  silently,  the 
monarch  now  arises  and  spreads  his  glories  far 
and  near,  irradiating  ocean  and  the  blue  vault 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  127 

of  heaven,  but  with  transcendent  brightness 
forbidding  the  eye  to  rest  on  himself,  but  direct- 
ing our  gaze  to  his  works  upon  nature  around 
us  ! 

Herein  has  our  Almighty  Father  again  given 
us  a  lesson  from  his  never-failing  book,  as  legi- 
ble as  were  it  penned  in  golden  characters  upon 
the  clear  horizon :  "  Ye  cannot  look  upon  my 
glory,  too  bright  for  the  eye  of  finite  reason  : 
but  look  upon  the  works  of  my  hands,  these 
show  forth  my  praise." 

And  who,  that  has  a  taste  for  the  beautiful, 
but  will  choose  to  pace  the  decks  when  all  is 
silent  around  him ;  when  he  hears  not  a  word 
to  interrupt  the  stillness  of  the  scene,  as  the 
queen  of  night  has  risen  to  rule  her  empire  with 
her  peaceful  sway  ?  How  often  is  a  boisterous 
day  succeeded  by  such  quiet  as  this,  for  the 
rising  of  the  moon  is  regarded  by  seamen,  with 
much  appearance  of  justice,  as  producing  such 
effects !  It  is  then  that 

The  glist'ning  eye  the  scene  surveys, 
The  thankful  heart  pours  forth  its  praise 
To  Nature's  God,  whose  bounteous  care 
Has  placed  us  in  a  world  so  fair. 

Blest  emblem  of  redeeming  love, 
That  bids  the  clouds  of  sin  remove, 
As  thou  hast  calm'd  the  ocean's  breast, 
So  cairn  our  passions,  all  to  rest ! 

I  have  thus  merely  endeavoured  to  give  you 
some  faint  idea  of  the  sublimity  of  sunrise,  and 


128  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

of  the  beauty  of  moonlight  nights,  at  sea,  in  order 
to  bring  you  over  to  my  view  of  the  correctness  of 
Miss  Carroll's  conduct,  and  to  force  you  to  admit 
that  it  was  justifiable  and  praiseworthy ;  nay, 
more  than  that,  it  was  proper  for  her  to  seek 
suitable  opportunities  and  times  for  such  de- 
lightful objects  of  contemplation.  Our  worthy 
second  mate,  Mr.  Lanyard,  notwithstanding  his 
self-approved  breeding,  and  his  having  been  so 
long  at  sea,  was  still  rather  unpolished.  His 
voice  and  language,  though  sounding  extremely 
well  and  much  to  the  purpose  from  the  weath- 
er earing,  was  not  precisely  adapted  to  a  lady's 
ear.  Though  possessed  of  a  deal  of  musical 
talent,  he  made  use  of  it  mostly  to  keep  himself 
awake  during  his  watches,  when  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  favour  us  with  variations  from  "Yan- 
kee Doodle,"  "  Jirn  Crow,"  and  "Round  the 
corner,  Sally,"  to  no  particular  key  that  I  recol- 
lect having  seen  in  music  books. 

Miss  Carroll,  therefore,  chose  her  times  of  medi- 
tation when  it  was  his  watch  below,  and — and 
(well,  of  course  it  couldn't  be  otherwise  when 
there  were  only  two  officers)  when  it  was  Mr. 
Maxwell's  watch  on  deck  ! 

Every  one  is  not  so  void  of  suspicion  as  you 
and  I.  Old  mother  Snags,  (as  we  called  her,) 
whose  ward  Miss  Carroll  might  be  considered, 
sent  the  cabin  boy  on  deck  one  evening  with  a 
message  to  the  young  lady,  to  whom  the  mate 
was  just  then  explaining  in  a  low  voice,  so  as 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  129 

not  to  disturb  any  one,  some  problem  in — navi- 
gation, perhaps — but  be  that  as  it  may,  Miss 
Carroll  reluctantly  obeyed  the  summons  of  Mrs. 
Snags. 

What  was  the  purpose  of  the  interview  which 
Mrs.  Snags  had  requested,  might  have  been 
guessed  at,  but  it  would  have  been  impossible  to 
have  related  the  particulars  had  it  not  been  for 
the  impertinent  curiosity  of  Master  Thomas  Plat- 
ter, or  as  he  was  generally  styled  by  us,  Tom 
Thumb,  in  order  to  distinguish  him  from  a  gi- 
gantic namesake,  who  on  his  part  was  particu- 
larized by  the  appellation  of  Long  Tom.  Now 
Tom  Thumb,  though  his  members  were  formed 
in  minute  proportion  to  each  other,  had  perhaps 
as  large  a  bore  for  his  ears,  as  most  men  of  larger 
stature  ;  and  if  what  the  young  rascal  told  us 
when  he  came  forward  soon  after,  was  verbatim, 
he  had  a  pretty  large  memory. 

"This  here's  a  new  go!"  squeaked  the 
little  fellow  ;  "  old  Mother  Snags  has  been  riding 

down  Miss  Carroll  like  a  main  tack,  and ' 

"Well,  begin  at  thebegininng,  and  tell  us  what's 
it  all  about,"  said  some  one,  with  the  interest  al- 
ways manifested  in  the  forecastle  to  know  what 
is  going  on,  and  what  has  been  done  and  said,  in 
the  cabin. 

" Why,  you  see,"  replied  Tommy,  "Mother 
Snags  sends  me  on  deck  to  call  down  Miss  Car- 
roll, and  as  she  looked  like  a  snapping  turtle,  I 
thought  something  was  out  o'  tune.  So  T  called 


130  THE   PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

her  down,  and  when  the  young  'oo-mari  had  got 
into  the  state  room,  and  the  door  was  shut,  I  lis- 
tened. First  go  off  was,  '  Sis-ter  Carroll,'  drawed 
out  like  weak  tea,  then  I  almost  heard  her  look 
at  her.  I  guess  the  awful  way  of  speaking  and 
the  vinegar  look  altogether,  struck  Miss  Carroll 
aback,  for  she  said,  by  jerks  like,  '  Why,  my  dear 
Mrs.  Snags — what's — the  matter?'  Not  a  word 
for  a  minute.  Thinks  I,  the  old  'ooman  means 
to  claw  her,  and  I  think  she  did  mean  to,  but 
thought  better  of  it,  for  the  young  lady  might 
have  carried  too  many  guns  for  her,  so  she  rang- 
ed up  alongside,  and  gave  her  a  broadside  of 
this  here,  '  Sis-ter  Car-roll  !  and  is  it  thus  that  you 
keep  the  vows  that  are  upon  you,  thus  that  you 
turn  from  the  paths  of  holiness  and  purity,  and 
bring  a  stigma  upon  your  own  reputation,  and 
dishonour  upon  the  sacred  cause  in  which  you  are 
engaged  ?'  Here  Miss  Carroll  tried  to  say  some- 
thing, but  it  was  no  use,  she  might  as  well  have 
tried  to  fight  forty-four  pounders  with  pop-guns. 
The  old  'oo-man  silenced  her  fire  in  no  time, 
and  blazed  away  again.  '  The  matter  !  you 
would  ask  me  what  is  the  matter  ?  why  it's  no- 
torious, yes,  it  is  in  the  mouths  of  all  the  breth- 
ren and  sisteren,  (Thomas  misunderstood ;  Mrs. 
Snags  probably  said  sisters,)  yes,  not  only  in 
their  mouths  but  in  those  of  the  captain  and  the 
crew  !  In  the  mouths  of  everybody  !  Oh,  dear  ! 
what  a  falling  away  !  If,  when  I  was  young- 
unmarried,  I  mean,  I  had  been  guilty  of  such 


THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  131 

enormities  as  you  have  with  that  poor  foolish 
Maxwell,  if,  oh !'  Whack,  down  went  the  old 
'ooman  in  a  peper-perplexed  fit,  and  Miss  Car- 
roll burst  the  door  open  so  sudden,  that  it  knock- 
ed me  down,  and  she  went  over  me,  and  hearin' 
the  noise,  out  jumped  all  the  rest  of  'em,  in  their 
what  d'-ye-call-ems.  And  down  come  four  wo- 
men and  three  men  on  the  top  of  us,  and  most 
all  the  rest  of  'em  got  piled  up  agin'  the  lee  bulk 
head.  Finally,  out  jumps  the  captain,  a-singing 
out  '  Tom  !'  '  Sir,'  says  I,  but  I  don't  think  he 
heard  me,  with  such  a  pile  as  .there  was  a  top  of 
me.  But  just  as  he  sings  out  again,  up  I  comes 
through  seven  or  eight  pair  o'  legs  and  arms,  a 
blowin'  like  a  porpoise.  '  Well,  what's  all  this 
confusion,'  says  he.  4Oh  Lord,  sir,'  says  I,  out 
o'  breath,  '  Mrs.  Snags  knows,  if  she  ain't  dead!' 
'  I'm  sure  I  am  equally  surprised  with  yourself, 
captain,'  says  the  old  'ooman,  as  live  as  a  bas- 
ket of  eels,  '  Why,  brethren  and  sisteren,  I  am 
ashamed  of  you,'  and  she  clapped  both  hands 
before  her  eyes,  and  looked  betwixt  her  fingers.' 
"  Well,  as  soon  as  I  got  clear  of  the  mess,  I 
lent  a  hand  to  capsize  some  of  the  beef  off  o' 
Miss  Carroll,  who  looked  a  good  deal  more 
frightened  than  she  did  when  she  went  over- 
board, a  while  ago.  As  soon  as  she  got  clear 
she  walked  into  her  state  room,  not  sayin' 
nothin'  to  nobody.  And  then  the  men  and 
women  that  had  been  a  top  of  us  began  to  apo- 
logize to  each  other.  The  brethren  *  regretted 


132  THE    PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

extremely.'  The  sisteren  declared  '  they  never 
were  so  shocked,'  but  nobody  said  nothin'  to 
me  about  almost  breakin'  my  arm.  Hows'ever, 
1  don't  care,  I  got  stowed  so  close  to  the  young 
lady  that  my  lips  almost  touched  hers.  I  guess 
Mr.  Maxwell  would  ha'  liked  to  ha'  been  me,  just 
then." 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  you  little  blackguard !" 
cried  that  gentleman  from  the  quarter-deck, 
whose  ears,  most  of  Tom's  animated  description 
had  reached  ;  "  hold  your  tongue,  sir,  and  go 
down  in  the  cabin  where  you  belong;  don't  you 
be  telling  the  people  any  more  such  nonsense," 
and  catching  the  young  gentleman  by  the  ear  as 
he  came  aft,  added,  " don't  you  ever  couple  me 
again  with  that  young  lady  !" 

"Lord,  sir,"  replied  Master  Thomas  Thumb, 
putting  on  one  of  his  most  innocent  looks, 
"  Wouldn't  you  like  to  be  coupled  with  her?" 

A  severe  twinge  upon  both  of  his  mischievous 
ears  occasioned  by  their  being  used  as  handles 
to  lift  him  over  the  companion  way,  was  the  only 
compliment  he  got  for  his  wit. 

It  is  needless  to  say,  that  such  an  accident  as 
had  happened,  prevented  Miss  Carroll  from 
taking  her  usual  morning  and  evening  walks 
for  a  length  of  time,  during  which  Mr.  Max- 
well appeared  to  be  somewhat  severe  and  un- 
necessarily harsh  in  his  treatment  of  us;  but  we 
bore  it  with  patience,  well  knowing  to  what 
cause  it  was  attributable.  Mow  strange  and 


THE   PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  133 

and  yet  how  common  it  is,  that,  when  annoyed 
by  those  against  whom  it  is  useless  to  complain, 
we  often  find  a  vent  for  our  ill-humour  by  tak- 
ing vengeance  upon  our  unoffending  inferiors  ! 

We  had  now  entered  the  tropics,  and  were 
making  rapid  progress  to  the  southward,  by  the 
aid  of  the  steady  north-east  trade  wind.  How 
delightful  and  exhilarating  it  is,  after  so  long  con- 
tending with  the  light,  baffling  winds,  and  sul- 
try weather,  which  prevail  in  the  latitude  of 
Bermuda,  to  be  ushered  into  the  precincts  of  the 
cool  and  bracing  trades  ! 

A  new  impetus  seems  to  send  the  sluggish 
blood  through  our  veins,  and  there  is  life  in  all 
around  us.  The  clouds  move  across  the  sky. 
not  in  the  imperceptible  way  of  late,  but  as  if 
they  were  now  employed  upon  some  errand  re- 
quiring activity  and  despatch;  while  instead  of 
the  lazy  black  fish,  whom  we  lately  saw  rolling 
in  a  sea  as  slothful  as  themselves,  on  every  side 
are  to  be  seen  thousands  of  porpoises,  bonitas, 
dolphin  arid  flying-fish,  gamboling  upon  the  live 
ocean.  Yes,  "  this  great  and  wide  sea,  wherein 
are  things  creeping  innumerable,"  is,  as  it  were, 
alive  :  and  while 

All  nature,  God,  thy  praises  sings, 
The  air,  the  earth,  the  rolling  sea, 

And  ships  e'en  spread  their  snowy  wings,  ^. 

To  join  them  all,  adoring  thee, — 

the  thanksgiving  which  animated  nature  pays, 
should  teach  us,  more  favoured  than  all  thy  other 
7 


134  THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

works  of  creation,  to  use  the  reason  thou  hast 
given  us,  not  in  inveighing  against  the  ways  of 
Providence,  but  in  humbly  rendering  thee  our 
"  reasonable  service." 

"Sail,  ho  !"  cried  a  man  from  the  main-royal 
yard,  one  fine  morning,  as  we  were  bowling 
along  merrily  upon  our  course.  "  Where-a- 
way  ?"  inquired  the  captain.  "  On  the  weather 
bow,  sir." 

There  is  nothing  more  enlivening  at  sea  than 
the  sound  of  "Sail,  ho!"  Separated  as  we  are 
supposed  to  be,  thousands  of  miles  from  human 
intercourse,  to  become  suddenly  aware  that 
there  are  other  isolated  beings  like  ourselves  in 
our  very  neighbourhood,  awakens  the  dormant 
energies  of  the  listless  passenger,  and  stimulates 
his  curiosity  in  the  highest  degree.  Are  we  in  a 
much-frequented  channel,  where  hundreds  of 
vessels  are  constantly  passing  on  their  various 
courses,  very  little  notice  is  taken  of  them — the 
spy-glass  is  not  even  brought  to  bear  upon  them, 
nor  does  fancy  exercise  itself  at  all  about  them. 
But  in  mid-ocean,  how  different !  The  emotions 
now  excited  are  those  of  intense  curiosity,  of 
sympathy  with  our  lonely  fellow-travellers,  and 
a  desire  to  communicate  with  them,  and  to  recip- 
rocate good  offices  if  required,  or  at  least  to  bid 
each  other  "  God  speed." 

In  the  present  instance,  all  was  bustle  and 
confusion — a  general  rush  of  ladies  and  gentle- 
men upon  deck — the  former,  poor  souls,  without 


THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY.  135 

the  probability  of  gratifying  their  curiosity  as 
soon  as  some  of  their  adventurous  husbands, 
who  now  endeavoured,  many  of  them,  for  the  first 
time,  to  climb  up  into  the  rigging.  Some  half 
dozen  had  actually  reached  the  leading-trucks, 
when,  urged,  as  they  would  have  it  appear,  by 
the  entreaties  of  their  wives  not  to  risk  their  pre- 
cious lives,  but  in  part,  as  it  seemed  to  others, 
by  a  shaking  of  their  knees,  they  thought  proper 
to  descend.  But  Brother  Bronson  had  tried  the 
experiment  before,  and  had  several  times  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  the  main-top,  when  his  lady 
was  below;  and  now,  notwithstanding  her  cries 
of,  "Oh  come  down,  my  dear  Elijah,"  he  still 
persisted,  and  reached  the  main-top-sail  yard, 
swinging  his  hat  in  triumph  to  his  astonished 
friends  beneath  him.  Meantime  the  captain 
had  reached  the  same  place,  and  was  carefully 
reconnoitering  with  his  glass. 

"Well,  captain,"  said  Mr.  Bronson,  "what 
is  she ?  where  is  she  from?  where  is  she  going? 
what's  her  name?  I  hope  they  are  all  well  on 
board.  How  beautiful  she  looks  !  Dear  me,  do, 
captain,  send  a  boat,  will  you  ?  What  do  you 
see,  captain  ?" 

"Brig,  sir!"  replied  he,  and  shutting  his 
glass,  descended. 

The  poor  man  had  scarcely  reached  the  decks, 
when  the  same  questions,  with  a  dozen  more, 
came  upon  him  from  a  dozen  different  mouths. 

"Brig!  ladies  and  gentlemen,  brig!"  was  all 


136  THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

the  answer  that  he  would  or  could  return. 
"  Mr.  Maxwell,"  said  the  captain,  with  a  feign- 
ed smile,  "  we  may  come  near  each  other,  and 
as  it  would  be  no  more  than  politeness  to  salute, 
especially  if  he  happen  to  be  a  countryman,  and 
as  this  is  the  Fourth  of  July,  you  may  clear 
away  the  guns  and  load  them." 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  replied  the  mate  ;  "  clear  away 
the  guns  there !" 

We  had  but  two  of  them,  but  they  were  good, 
serviceable  twelve-pounders.  After  the  cart- 
ridges were  rammed  down,  the  passengers,  had 
they  much  penetration  in  such  matters,  must 
have  thought  that  it  was  to  be  a  very  queer  sa- 
lute, when  both  guns  were  filled  to  their  muz- 
zles with  grape,  canister,  and  musket  bullets  ! 
In  the  meantime,  the  brig,  which  had  been 
heading  to  the  northward  when  first  discovered, 
had  stood  off  to  the  westward,  and  now  became 
visible  from  deck,  bearing  down  across  our 
bows,  with  studding-sails  set  alow  and  aloft. 

If  there  had  been  any  doubt  before  in  the  cap- 
tain's mind,  there  was  none  now,  and  he  gave 
the  order  to  brail  up  the  spanker,  put  the  helm 
up,  square  the  yards,  and  rig  out  studding-sail 
booms  on  both  sides,  it  being  well  known  that 
to  keep  before  the  wind  is  the  only  chance  for  a 
merchantman  in  a  race  with  a  sharp  built  ves- 
sel. We  soon  had  all  sail  packed  upon  the  Cor- 
nelia, and  for  a  few  moments  we  flattered  our- 
selves with  the  idea  of  escape;  but  our  hopes 


THE    PRETTY   MISSIONARY.  137 

were  false,  for  slowly  but  surely  the  brig  gained 
upon  us.  A  box  of  muskets  belonging  to  the 
cargo  was  now  passed  up  out  of  the  hold  and 
broken  open.  These,  added  to  those  belonging 
to  the  ship,  furnished  one  to  every  male  on 
board.  At  these  preparations  the  astonished 
passengers  began  to  stare,  and  soon  suspected 
the  truth  ;  and  some  drew  themselves  apart, 
while  the  captain  encouraged  us  to  behave  like 
men,  and  do  otir  duty.  Nearer,  nearer  still,  the 
rascal  came  on,  overhauling  us  step  by  step ; 
and  now  we  could  see  English  colours  at  his 
peak — but  he  had  mistaken  us.  We  hoisted  the 
stars  and  stripes,  and  still  kept  on  before  the 
wind. 

Soon,  down  came  the  English  flag  and  up 
went  the  American ;  but  as  this  ruse  did  not  suc- 
ceed, and  only  made  us  more  certain  of  his  cha- 
racter, he  did  us  the  favour  to  make  assurance 
doubly  sure,  by  hauling  this  down,  hoisting  his 
own  true  colours — the  black  flag,  and  sending  a 
shot  from  his  Long  Tom  booming  after  us. 

"  Ladies,"  said  the  captain,  "  I  must  request 
you  to  go  below.  Your  longer  continuance, on 
deck  would  be  dangerous,  and  should  you  be 
seen — Go  below,  ladies." 

His  request  was  generally  and  immediately 
complied  with.  Some  of  the  gentlemen  were 
about  to  follow,  when  they  found  themselves 
suddenly  interrupted.  "  I  said  ladies,  not  gen- 
tlemen." 


138  THE   PRETTY  MISSIONARY. 

Several  of  them  not  taking  this  gentle  hint, 
their  further  progress  was  stopped  by  Messrs. 
Maxwell  and  Lanyard,  who  politely  helped 
them  out  of  the  companion-way,  and  then  drew 
over  the  slide,  which  the  carpenter  was  ordered 
to  secure. 

"I  am  sorry,  gentlemen,"  said  the  captain, 
"  to  be  obliged  to  use  such  means  to  remind  you 
of  your  duty  to  defend  your  own  lives  and  those 
of  your  families." 

"Sir,"  said  Mr.  Newman,  in  a  faltering  tone, 
"we  do  not  consider  it  our  duty  to  engage  in 
carnal  warfare.  We  have  held  a  meeting  upon 
the  subject :  and  after  a  candid  view  of  the  mat- 
ter in  all  its  bearings,  we  have  concluded  to  use 
only  the  weapons  of  prayer  and  faith." 

"Very  proper  weapons  in  their  way,  no 
doubt,"  replied  our  indignant  captain,  "but  one 
can  pray  and  fight  too,  when  occasion  requires ; 
and  moreover,  there  are  the  ladies  below,  who 
can  handle  the  weapon  of  prayer  for  us ;  arid 
as  to  faith,  I  believe  in  that  as  sincerely  as  you 
do,  but  I  believe  that  unless  good  works  go  with 
it,  it  is  no  more  serviceable  for  a  weapon,  than 
an  unloaded  musket  is,  nor  half  as  much  so." 

Notwithstanding  this  luminous  commentary 
upon  a  doctrine,  which  has  set  Christendom  by 
the  ears  ever  since  sectarianism  took  the  place 
of  religion,  the  gentlemen  stood  irresolute,  some 
being  convinced  that  it  was  their  duty  to  take 
up  arms;  among  whom  the  Rev.  Mr.  Snags  was 


THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY.  139 

conspicuous,  for  that  gentleman  was  really  no 
coward — there  was  nothing  in  this  world  that 
he  feared, — excepting  his  wife.  Still  the  New- 
man party  were  about  to  continue  the  discus- 
sion, when  Captain  Davis,  espying  something  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  his  chief  officer,  exclaimed 
— "But  how  is  this]  why,  Miss  Carroll,  I 
thought  that  I  had  requested  all  the  ladies  to  go 
below  !" 

"Oh,  captain!"  exclaimed  Isabella,  "  do  let 
me  remain  on  deck.  I  can  do  something.  I  can 
fire  a  gun — or  a  pistol,  at  least  I  can  hand  Mr. 
Max — I  can  hand  the  men  powder.  I  know  I 
can  do  something!" 

Here  was  an  argument  stronger  than  any 
thing  that  the  captain  could  produce,  and  the 
cowards  who,  for  the  credit  of  humanity,  were 
few  in  number,  stole  away  into  a  corner  to  hide 
their  shame. 

"  God  bless  you,  young  lady!"  cried  the  wor- 
thy captain,  :'  God  bless  you  !  If  all  the  women 
in  America  were  like  you,  the  next  generation 
would  be  an  army  of  heroes !  Maxwell,  my 
lad,  make  much  of  her.  I  know  you  love  her, 
and  I  know  she  loves  you,  and  I'd  have  her  in 
spite  of  all  the  societies  that  ever  grew — and 
every  heathen  might  go  to  grass  !" 

Having  thus  given  vent  to  his  feelings  in  a 
style  rendered  excusable  by  the  exciting  circum- 
stances, he  ordered  the  slide  to  be  removed,  and 
the  blushing  girl  being  persuaded  that  she  could 


140  THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

render  no  assistance,  descended,  while  Mr.  Max- 
well endeavoured  to  hide  his  confusion  by  being 
busily  engaged  in  double-shotting  the  muskets. 
It  was  quite  unnecessary  to  re-fasten  the  slide. 

And  now  approached  the  time  of  trial,  for 
our  enemy  was  rapidly  gaining  upon  us ;  and 
his  shot,  which  at  first  had  fallen  harmlessly  in 
our  wake,  now  whistled  by.  and  skipped  on  the 
water  far  ahead.  Orders  were  given  to  haul  in 
our  studding  sails,  but  not  to  do  it  in  haste,  and 
this  manoeuvre  apparently  succeeded  in  inducing 
the  pirate  to  suppose  that  we  had  at  last  paid 
attention  to  his  summons,  and  having  given  up 
all  hope  of  escape,  were  shortening  sail  in  order 
to  allow  him  to  come  up.  In  so  far,  he  was 
right.  His  firing  now  ceased,  and  having  taken 
in  every  thing  above  our  topsails,  we  slowly 
moved  on,  awaiting  his  more  rapid  approach. 

Previously  to  this,  the  guns  had  been  covered 
over  with  old  canvass  and  other  rubbish,  and  the 
passengers,  with  several  of  the  crew,  stowed 
snugly  away  under  the  bulwarks.  To  all  ap- 
pearance, the  Cornelia,  both  outside  and  inside, 
looked  as  peaceably  disposed  as  a  Quaker  meet- 
ing-house. On — on  came  our  bloody  and  fear- 
ful foe,  his  black  ensign  insulting  the  air  that 
opened  its  folds,  and  threatening  the  most  awful 
calamities  to  ourselves. 

"  Steady,  my  brave  fellows,  steady!"  said  the 
captain;  "obey  the  orders  I  have  given  you  to 


THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY.  141 

the  letter,  and  with  God's  help,  we'll  disappoint 
his  expectations." 

11  Ship-a-hoy  !"  came  hoarsely  over  the  waters 
from  the  brazen  mouth  of  the  trumpet. 

"  Hallo  !" 

"  Where  are  you  from  7" 

"Boston." 

"Where  are  you  bound?" 

"  East  Indies." 

"Round  to,  with  your  main-topsail  to  the 
mast !  I  will  come  on  board." 

By  this  time  the  brig  was  on  our  starboard 
quarter,  and  was  preparing  to  shorten  sail ;  but 
his  mandate  not  being  immediately  complied 
with,  he  luffed  up  two  points,  which  increased 
his  speed,  and  brought  him  within  pistol-shot 
upon  our  beam,  so  that  we  could  distinguish  the 
lines  of  the  ruffian-like  countenances,  that  were 
all  gathered  in  his  larboard  gangway,  wonder- 
ing at  our  useless  disobedience.  "  Do  you  mean 
to  heave  to,  sir  ?"  roared  their  savage  com- 
mander in  a  voice  of  thunder,  "  answer  me  !" 

He  was  answered  in  a  way  he  little  expected. 
A  whistle  from  our  Captain — our  ports  rose, 
while  nearly  thirty  muskets  bristled  over  the  rail, 
and  a  storm  of  iron  and  lead  was  poured  forth 
for  a  reply. 

Standing  as  they  did  in  a  body,  and  so  near, 
this  well-directed  fire  swept  them  off  like  chaff 
before  the  wind,  while  their  standing  and  running 
rigging  being  cut  to  pieces  by  the  thousand  fly- 


THE    PRETTY   MISSIONARY. 

ing  missiles,  sails  and  spars  were  brought  tum- 
bling down  upon  the  heads  of  the  survivors.  Dy- 
ing groans  and  yells  of  agony  mingled  with  sa- 
vage imprecations,  rose  upon  the  air;  and  as 
our  smoke  cleared  away,  sad  was  the  spectacle 
of  the  slain,  and  vain  were  the  efforts  of  the  liv- 
ing to  seek  revenge.  Our  helm  was  put  to  star- 
board, the  larboard  tacks  hauled  aboard,  and  the 
ship  was  again  under  a  press  of  canvass  steering 
on  her  original  course.  The  pirate  succeeded  at 
length  in  bringinghis  long  torn  to  bear;  but  after 
sending  one  or  two  ineffectual  shots  after  us,  found 
that  he  was  so  disabled  from  the  havoc  made  in 
his  larboard  rigging,  that  he  could  not  carry  sail 
on  that  tack.  He  accordingly  gave  up  the  chase, 
and  wore  round  with  his  head  to  the  northward, 
as  when  he  was  first  seen. 

"Now,  then,  is  the  time  for  thanksgiving," 
said  our  sincere  commander,  calling  us  aft,  when 
the  danger  was  over.  '•  You  have*  all  behaved 
as  I  knew  you  would,  but  don't  let  us  be  too 
proud  of  this;  it  was  all  directed  by  the  hand  of 
the  Lord!"  and  laying  his  hat  down,  as  we  all 
did  likewise,  he  exclaimed,  raising  his  eyes  io- 
ward  heaven,  "  We  thank  thee.  oh  God  !  Unto 
Thy  name  be  all  the  praise  !" 

To  this  sentiment  most  hearts  responded,  and 
perhaps  the  only  one  that  did  not,  was  that  of 
Mr.  Newman,  who  took  more  credit  to  himself 
than  all  others  together  would  claim,  endeavour- 
ing to  prove  that  he  had  Id  lied  some  sixteen  pi 


THE   PRETTY   MISSIONARY.  143 

rates  with  his  two  bullets,  although  Ned  Sim- 
mons, who  stood  next  him,  did  not  hear  the  report 
of  his  musket ;  and  what  also  threw  some 
additional  suspicion  upon  the  courage  of  our  con- 
scientious friend,  was  the  circumstance  of  one  of 
the  muskets  being  found  still  to  retain  its  charge. 
The  ladies  now  came  on  deck,  of  course  de- 
lighted with  the  result  of  the  affair,  and  we  be- 
lieve they  had  been  very  quiet,  with  the  exception 
of  Mrs.  Snags,  who  as  Tommy  said  when  he  went 
below,  was  kicking,  in  another  of  those  "peper- 
per-plexed  "  fits,  but  fearful  of  a  similar  catastro- 
phe to  what  had  befallen  him  once  before,  he  kept 
a  respectful  distance  from  danger,  and  Mr.  Snags 
coming  down,  she  speedily  recovered,  by  blowing 
off  steam  upon  him  for  his  cruel  neglect  of  her  in 
such  a  perilous  situation.  As  to  Isabella,  when 
she  made  her  appearance,  nobody  could,  and 
none  of  our  officers  wished,  to  prevent  our  giving 
her  three  cheers  as  loud  and  sincere  as  those 
with  which  we  celebrated  our  victory. 

After  having  crossed  the  N.  E.  trade,  there  is 
generally  more  or  less  of  light  winds,  squalls  and 
calms,  until  a  ship  arrives  within  the  limits  ofthe 
S.  E.  trade.  At  some  seasons  the  trades  approach 
so  near  each  other  that  the  delay  between  them  is 
but  trifling ;  but  in  the  summer  months,  the  in- 
terval is  frequently  five  or  six  hundred  miles,  and 
long  miles  they  are  indeed. 

It  was  our  fate  upon  this  voyage  to  be  longer 
detained  than  usual,  being  thirty  days  in  accom- 


144  THE   PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

plishing  this  distance,  which,  with  a  fair  wind, 
could  easily  have  been  done  within  one-tenth 
part  of  the  time.  For  the  greater  part  of  these 
thirty  days  we  were  becalmed. 

Dr.  Watts  closes  some  verses  in  one  of  his 
psalms  with  this  stanza — 

"  'T  is  calm,  and  sailors  smile  to  see,"  &c. 

Smile  in  a  calm  !  If  there  is  anything  upon  the 
ocean  to  cast  a  gloom  over  every  thing,  to  bring 
the  melancholic  fiend  into  the  mind,  to  subdue 
patience  and  Christian  resignation,  to  make  peo- 
ple fretful,  cross  and  peevish,  to  bring  on  wrin- 
kles and  gray  hairs,  it  is  a  calm  !  The  heaving, 
rolling  and  pitching  of  the  ship,  day  after  day, 
upon  the  everlasting  and  glassy  swell ;  a  vertical 
sun,  beating  down  upon  us  as  if  the  ship  was 
the  centre  of  its  burning  rays ;  the  ceaseless  mu- 
sic of  creaking  spars  and  rigging,  and  the  ever 
continued  and  heavy  flapping  of  the  sails  ;  the 
consciousness  that  we  are  gaining  nothing  on  our 
voyage,  and  that  so  much  time  is  stolen  from  the 
sum  total  of  our  short  existence,  causes  any  thing 
but  a  smile.  It  is  in  vain  to  talk  of  books.  If 
any  man  upon  such  occasions  as  this,  will  read, 
and  understand  and  remember  what  he  reads, 
I  would  like  to  pay  my  respects  to  him,  as  to  a 
greater  philosopher  than  ancient  or  modern  times 
have  produced.  I  believe,  however,  that  court- 
ship may  progress  in  a  calm,  for  Mr.  Maxwell 
and  Isabella,  notwithstanding  the  saintly  horror 


THE    PRETTY   MISSIONARY  145 

of  Mrs.  Snags,  used  to  pass  the  dull  moments 

pleasantly  enough,  and but  I  had  intended 

to  say  no  more  of  this  matter,  for  'tis  perfectly 
useless.  You  know  we  have  settled  it  long  since. 
They  can't  be  married — for  missionary  obliga- 
tions are  not  so  easily  evaded  as  honest  Captain 
Davis  would  insinuate ;  and  unless  Mr.  Maxwell 
became  a  missionary,  the  thing,  you  see,  was 
impossible.  *  *  *  * 

Oh,  dear,  that  is  too  bad ! 

"What?" 

Why  the  steward  came  in  just  now,  and  when 
the  d:)or  opened,  out  went  my  four  last  sheets 
through  the  cabin  window.  I  had  taken  so  much 
pains  with  that  part  of  the  story — had  collected 
from  memory  so  many  choice  incidents — had  em- 
bellished it  with  so  many  charming  conversations 
— had  recounted  so  many  narrow  escapes — had 
chronicled  our  arrival  at  our  destined  port,  and 
shed  so  much  light  upon  the  world,  as  to  the  man- 
ners and  customs  of  the  inhabitants,  and  finally 
had  told  you  how  our  missionary  friends  had 
been  distributed  amongst  the  islands  of  the  In- 
dian Archipelago,  and  what  the  ladies  must  re- 
gret the  loss  of,  more  than  all — there  was  the 
parting  of  Maxwell  and  Isabella,  the  last  fond 
embrace— her  duty  conquering  love,  as  she 
told  him  that  this  was  the  last  meeting  they 
should  enjoy  upon  earth — and  then  Maxwell's 
going  below  to  give  vent  to  his  anguish  !  Oh, 
what  a  pity  !  But  whether  you  may  be  sorry 


146  THE    PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

for  my  loss  or  not,  I  know  of  some  who  will  re- 
joice—the printers. 

However,  the  lost  sheets  went  on  to  say  that 
we  loaded  the  ship  and  returned  home,  without 
accident ;  and  that  after  remaining  there  a  few 
weeks,  she  was  despatched  again  upon  a  trading 
voyage,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Edward 
Maxwell,  and  that  your  humble  servant  was 
elevated  to  the  station  formerly  occupied  by 
Mr.  Lanyard,  arid  they  told  you  of  our  arrival 
abroad. 

The  character  of  the  Malays  is  as  little  un- 
derstood by  people  at  home,  as  that  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  moon.  They  are  supposed 
to  be  universally  destitute  of  any  approach  to 
goodness,  and  addicted  to  piracy,  murder,  and 
cannibalism.  Although  there  are  many  instan- 
ces of  cruelty  among  them,  and  I  may  presently 
have  occasion  to  notice  something  of  the  sort, 
yet  as  a  people  they  are  very  far  from  deserving 
the  censure  that  has  been  awarded  them.  If 
well  treated,  they  are  not  treacherous,  for  they 
are  simple-minded  and  kind-hearted.  I  have 
lived  for  weeks,  the  only  white  man  upon  an 
island  inhabited  by  thousands  of  them,  and  have 
gone  about  unarmed,  fearing  nothing,  and  treat- 
ed with  the  utmost  kindness  and  attention.  The 
instances  upon  record  of  ships  having  been  cut 
off  by  them,  may  be  traced  directly,  or  indi- 
rectly, to  the  abominable  system  of  cheating, 
adopted  by  Christians,  who  when  they  have  load- 


THE  PRETTY  MISSIONARY.  147 

ed  7000  piculs  and  paid  for  perhaps  5000,  are 
attacked  by  these  cruel  people  whom  they  have 
robbed  !  though  in  most  cases  they  are  able  10 
get  off  safe  with  their  booty  ! 

Still  man/  of  the  Rajahs  are  tyrannical,  and 
the  Rajah  of  Tringanu  was  one  of  these.  We 
touched  at  that  island  to  complete  our  cargo, 
and  learned  that  three  American  missionaries 
were  there  imprisoned  for  having,  as  was  assert- 
ed, endeavoured,  by  their  preaching,  to  create  a 
rebellion  among  the  people.  It  was  in  vain  that 
Capt.  Maxwell  endeavoured  to  explain  to  the 
Rajah  that  such  could  not  be  their  object.  He 
was  obstinately  convinced  that  it  was,  and  was 
resolved  to  keep  them  "  in  durance  vile."  But 
at  length,  when  our  cargo  was  completed,  he 
told  Capt.  Maxwell  that  they  should  be  liberated 
upon  one  condition, — that  he  would  take  them 
home  to  America,  never  to  return  again. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  Capt.  Maxwell 
could  hesitate.  The  prison  doors  were  thrown 
open,  and  out  marched  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sna^s  and 
lady,  and  a  young  lady  of  our  acquaintance. 
Oh,  such  a  scene,  such  a  moment  of  astonish- 
ment ;  and  then  such  a  squeeze  as  Maxwell 
gave  her  ! 

His  promise  on  their  behalf  was  explained  to 
them,  and  they  could  not  do  otherwise  than  con- 
sent to  return — Miss  Carroll,  of  course,  very  re- 
luctantly. 

I  know  not  how  it  was,  but  probably  only  to 


148  •         THE   PRETTY    MISSIONARY. 

save  appearances,  but,  at  any  rate,  it  seemed  ad- 
viseable  that  the  young  lady  should  change  her 
name  before  she  went  on  board. 

And  the  Rajah,  now  perfectly  reconciled,  of- 
fered his  house  for  the  performance  of  that  cere- 
mony. All  hands  came  on  shore  to  see  that  Mr. 
Snags  spliced  Miss  Carroll  in  "ship-shape  "  style 
to  the  captain,  and  the  evening's  entertainment 
concluded  with  a  feast  of  rice  and  curry,  fowls, 
fruit,  and  cocoa-nut  toddy.  The  festival  was 
enlivened  with  dances  by  some  fifty  pretty  Ma- 
lays, in  which  we  joined,  as  much  to  our  own 
amusement  as  to  that  of  the  natives. 

As  we  weighed  anchor  on  the  next  morning, 
we  fired  a  parting  salute,  which  was  returned 
by  the  battery  on  shore  ;  and  not  many  months 
afterwards  our  owners  and  friends  were  pleased 
to  read  in  the  Boston  Journal,  the  arrival  of 
the  Cornelia,  Capt.  Maxwell :  Passengers — Rev. 
Mr  Snags,  Mrs.  Snags,  and  Mrs.  Maxwell,  (cap- 
tain's wife.) 


TOM    BROWN; 

OR, 

SUPERSTITION. 


EVERY  community,  be  it  ever  so  small,  has  its 
character.  By  that  I  mean  some  one  particular 
person  who  is  odd — so  odd  as  to  be  denomi- 
nated, .  par  excellence,  "  a  character."  Why 
this  title  should  be  bestowed  upon  such  indi- 
viduals, behooves  us  not  now  to  inquire,  for 
it  would  take  time,  and,  after  all,  perhaps,  not 
elicit  truth.  All  admit,  and  that's  enough,  that 
there  are  such  persons:  some  of  good  character, 
some  of  bad,  and  some  of  no  character  at  all. 
But  my  present  object  is  merely  to  chronicle  a 
recollection  or  two  of  my  old  shipmate,  Tom 
Brown.  He  was  a  character  among  us,  and 
his  oddity  consisted  in  a  continual  propensity 
for  fun.  There  were  few  dull  hours  in  the 
Ellen's  forecastle;  and  if  ever  dulness  cast  its 
shadow,  (which  was  all  it  dared  do  there,)  it 


150  TOM    BROWN. 

was  speedily  ejected  by  a  song  or  a  yarn  from 
Tom  Brown.  Did  any  one  suffer  from  head- 
ache? Tom  was  there  to  assure  him  that  it 
would  be  better  when  it  was  done  aching;  and 
if  seriously  ill,  his  advice  was  given  to  keep  a 
stiff  upper  lip  and  a  fuzzy  eyebrow ;  adding, 
that  even  "kicking  the  bucket  was  nothing 
when  a  little  used  to  it."  Fun  at  all  times  he 
would  have — innocent  if  convenient,  mischiev- 
ous if  necessary.  "  Hooking  manavlins  "  was  a 
favourite  amusement  with  him  :  not  so  much  for 
gratifying  his  appetite,  as  for  exercising  his  dex- 
terity and  enjoying  the  astonishment  of  the  cook 
at  their  miraculous  disappearance  ;  but  his  chef- 
d'oeuvre  in  this  line  was  this  :  One  day  all  but 
himself  and  two  others  were  below  at  dinner  ; 
it  was  nearly  two  bells — the  captain  in  the 
cabin — the  mate  writing  up  his  log — the  second 
mate  aloft  on  the  mizen — the  steward  laying 
his  table — and  the  cook  just  taking  up  the  cabin 
dinner,  which  consisted  chiefly  of  a  magnificent 
turkey. 

"  Now.  boys,"  says  Tom,  "  novv's  the  time  ! 
Charley,  scare  up  the  pigs  in  the  long-boat  !" 

Now  "the  doctor"  always  kept  a  watchful 
eye  on  the  pigs,  considering  them  particularly 
under  his  jurisdiction,  and  holding  himself  in 
some  measure  accountable  for  their  good  beha- 
viour. Hearing  there  was  some  angry  discus- 
sion among  his  "  kitchen  cabinet,"  he  rushed  out. 


TOM    BROWN.  151 

from  one  of  the  galley  doors,  while  Tom  quietly 
entered  by  the  other,  abstracting  the  turkey  and 
stowing  it  under  his  jacket,  and  in  less  time  than 
has  been  occupied  in  narrating  it,  he  was  look- 
ing into  the  opposite  side  of  the  boat,  asking 
the  doctor  what  ailed  the  pigs ! 

"I  dun  know,"  said  he,  "dey's  kickiu'  up 
bobbery  here.  I  believe  you  fellers  was  plagin' 
'em.  Dare,  keep-a-still  now,  will  ye,  dare 's  a 
good  hog,  so." — 

"  Two  bells!" 

11  Two  bells  !  "  echoed  the  cook. 

uYes,"  said  the  steward,  coming  forward. 
"  Whar  yar  dinner?" 

"  Here  be,  all  ready." 

Alas,  humanum  est  errare,  which  signified 
in  this  instance,  "You  don't  always  find  your 
turkey  where  you  think  it  is."  While  the  two 
darkies  were  gazing,  horror-stricken,  at  the  de- 
serted dish,  Tom  shouted,  u  What's  that  dog  got  ? 
My  eyes  !  if  it  aint  the  captain's  dinner  !  Doc- 
tor !  I  say,"  and  with  this  exclamation,  he  and 
his  two  comrades  pounced  upon  the  unoffending 
"  Bose  "  and  bore  him  down  into  the  lee  scup- 
pers, whence,  after  a  severe  scuffle,  Tom  disen- 
gaged himself  from  the  melee,  flourishing  the 
mangled  remains  of  the  turkey  torn — by  no  teeth 
as  yet,  but  by  his  own  hand.  The  captain,  who 
by  this  time  was  on  deck,  was  very  excusably 
angr^.  He  scolded  the  steward,  kicked  the 
coolf,  ropes-ended  the  dog:  who  wouldn't?  but 


152  TOM    BROWN. 

as  to  eating  a  turkey  bitten  to  pieces  in  that 
manner — who  ivould  ? 

11  Heave  that  turkey  overboard  !"  said  he. 

"Please  sir,"  said  Tom,  "it  will  save  the 
ship  some  salt  junk,  if  you'll  let  us  eat  it,  for- 
ward." 

"  Eat  it,  then,  and  be  hanged  to  you,"  said 
the  skipper,  with  a  look  savouring  of  ipecac- 
uanha, "  and  take  some  swill  for  your  sauce,  if 
you  like  !" 

Declining  the  generous  offer  of  the  sauce,  the 
three  conspirators  made  a  hearty  meal  of  roast 
turkey,  though  sneered  at  by  their  shipmates, 
who  were  as  ignorant  of  the  joke  as  were  the 
party  in  the  cabin,  who,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  en- 
joyed their  dinner  of  salt  beef. 

Every  one  knows  that  sailors,  as  a  class,  are 
superstitious  ;  but  there  are  not  many  on  shore 
who  know  to  what  length  superstition  often  ex- 
tends among  them.  It  is  more  or  less  prevalent 
among  all  sailors.  One  of  the  most  ridiculous 
examples  of  this,  may  be  found  among  the 
native  sailors  of  Java,  who  compose  the  crews 
of  all  the  Dutch  country  ships.  One  of  their 
gross  fancies  is,  that  it  is  not  only  unlucky,  but 
exceedingly  impious,  to  sail  in  a  ship  whose  masts 
are  stepped  in  a  contrary  direction  to  the  way  in 
which  they  grew. 

Although  so  stepping  a  mast  is  often  very  con- 
venient, in  order  to  have  the  bigness  of  the  spar 
above  deck,  where  it  is  most  needed,  yet  the 


TOM    BROWN.  153 

builders  are  obliged  to  forego  this  advantage, 
otherwise  not  a  man  could  be  found,  who,  upon 
any  conditions,  would  sail  in  the  vessel.  The 
Chinese  are  overflowing  with  superstition.  Their 
"  chin-chinning  Josh,"  is  well  known  to  many. 
This  operation  consists  in  beating  gongs  and 
burning  paper,  by  which  means  they  either  intend 
to  propitiate  the  divinity,  or,  what  would  seem 
to  us  more  probable,  torment  him,  for  a  fair  wind. 
Another  of  their  strange  whims  I  was  once  wit- 
ness to,  being  at  that  time  a  passenger  from  Sin- 
gapore to  Penan g,  on  board  a  country  brig,  be- 
longing to  the  Chinese,  some  thirty  or  forty  of 
which  nation,  besides  a  fair  assortment  of  Ma- 
lays, Bengalese,  Arabs,  and  some  of  every  other 
nation,  (at  all  events,  there  were  eleven  langua- 
ges in  use,)  were  my  fellow-passengers.  When 
off  Malacca,  we  were  suddenly  struck  by  one  of 
those  furious  squalls  known  as  "  Sumatras."  It 
was  quite  enough  for  a  good  ship  under  good 
management,  but  in  this  crazy  old  brig,  so 
crowded  with  people  as  to  cover  the  decks — each 
owner  of  which,  (there  were  half  a  dozen,)  assum- 
ing the  part  of  captain  ;  no  orders,  consequent- 
ly, obeyed ;  and  nothing  to  be  seen  or  heard  be- 
sides the  wind  and  rain,  but  clamour  and  confu- 
sion ;  it  was  like  Mr.  Pickwick's  game  with  the 
lawyers,  "  too  exciting  to  be  pleasant."  In  the 
midst  of  it  all,  I  observed  that  the  Chinese  were 
collected  upon  the  taffrail,  and  making  exertions 
to  get  hold  of  the  ensign  halliards,  which  they 


154  TOM    BROWN. 

finally  accomplished,  and  bent  on  a  flag,  (if  re- 
collection serves  me  right,  a  white  one)  which 
they  triumphantly  ran  up,  and  then  remained 
watching  the  result  very  calmly.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  vessel  lay  nearly  on  her  beam  ends, 
and  the  trysail  sheet  having  parted,  the  sail  laid 
hard  against  the  main  rigging,  so  that  the  brig 
would  not  fall  off.  I  had  laid  hold  of  the  wheel, 
which  I  hove  hard  up,  while  my  companion 
crawled  up  the  trysailmast  and  cut  the  old  sail, 
so  that  it  blew  away,  and  we  went  off  safely  be- 
fore the  wind;  which  the  Chinese  firmly  believed 
resulted  from  their  having,  displayed  the  "storm 
flag."  During  this  time  the  Hindoos,  Arabs,  Par- 
sees,  Siamese,  and  the  other  tribes,  were  not  idle 
in  the  performance  of  their  peculiar  prostrations 
and  genuflections,  and  loud  calls  upon  their  va- 
rious prophets  and  deities,  to  whose  good  influ- 
ences they  individually  attributed  their  escape. 
I  was  silently  thankful  that  the  trifle  of  common 
sense,  which  Capt.  O'Dogherty  and  myself  had 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  business,  had  been  the 
means  of  saving  all  hands.  But  failing  in  his  at- 
tempts to  convince  others  of  this,  my  friend  came 
near  to  getting  "  a  broth  of  a  bating,"  for  ridicul- 
ing the  white  flag  and  abusing  the  "consaited 
haithin,"  whose  "divils,"  he  said,  "if  they  exist- 
ed at  all,  were  so  far  underground  as  not  to  know 
starboard  from  port,  nor  a  trysailmast  from  a  fly- 
ing jib-boom."  Spaniards.  Portuguese,  and  all 
Mediterranean  sailors  partake  largely  of  super- 


TOM    BROWN.  155 

stition  ;  but  perhaps  not  much  move  so" than  their 
countrymen  on  shore;  the  nature  of  their  reli- 
gion engrafting  it  upon  them  all.  Among  these 
people,  it  is  mostly  confined  to  a  stupid  venera- 
tion of  saints,  whom  they  regard  as  possessed  of 
as  much  power  as  O'Dogherty's  "  haithin  "  fan- 
cy their  "  underground  divils"  are  gifted  with. 
Every  change  of  wind,  calm,  storm  or  sunshine 
with  them,  savours  of  the  miraculous  ;  and  to 
their  minds,  there  seems  to  be  nothing  natural, 
unless  it  be  food,  drink,  and  laziness. 

The  superstition  of  Dutch,  Danish,  Swedish, 
and  Norwegian  sailors,  of  whom  there  are  a  great 
number  in  our  merchant  service,  consists  chiefly 
in  a  belief  in  demonology  and  witchcraft.  The 
oft-repeated  tale  of  the  Flying  Dutchman,  so  fa- 
miliar to  all,  is  firmly  credited  by  the  greater 
part  of  these  men.  They  fancy,  among  other 
absurdities,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Finland  are 
possessed  by  evil  spirits,  and  are  consequently 
very  shy  of  sailing  in  a  vessel  with  a  Fin  on 
board.  If  they  should  be  so  unfortunate  as  to 
be  thrown  into  his  company,  they  will  not  fail 
to  attribute  any  misfortune  that  may  occur  dur- 
ing the  voyage,  to  his  presence  ;  for  they  look 
upon  him  with  awe;  as  a  wizard,  who  holds 
their  lives  in  his  control.  The  English,  Irish 
and  Scotch,  are  also  very  credulous ;  the  latter 
perhaps  less  so  than  the  former,  although  they 
sometimes  tell  wonderful  tales  about  "the  bo- 
gles." But  there  is  a  general  belief  among  Brit- 


156  TOM    BROWN. 

ish  seamen,  in  ghosts,  hobgoblins,  dreams,  and 
supernatural  warnings,  lucky  and  unlucky  ships 
and  sailing  days,  and  many  more  strange  fancies 
of  the  sort.  Ghost  stories  innumerable  might  be 
here  repeated,  which  I  have  been  told  in  the 
forecastle,  by  these  fellows,  which  they  as  impli- 
citly believed  as  they  did  in  their  own  being  ;  and- 
to  dispute  the  probability  of  which,  would  be 
entering  into  a  quarrel  with  them  at  once. 

No  one  can  doubt  that  superstitious  notions  are 
generally  owing  to  a  want  of  education  ;  and  as 
far  as  seamen  are  concerned,  this  is  sufficient- 
ly evident  .when*  we  see  how  little,  American 
sailors  are  tinctured  with  them.  Though  the 
influence  of  example  is  ^powerful,  and  they  are 
continually  brought  into  contact  with  the  ruff- 
scuff  of  all  nations,  and  must  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree  imbibe  some  of  their  ideas,  still 
their  early  education  restrains  their  credulity, 
and  very  few  of  them  are  to  be  found  who  place 
any  confidence  in  supernatural  agency.  It  is  as 
rare  to  find  an  American  seaman  who  cannot 
sign  his  name  to  the  articles,  as  it  is  to  find  an 
English  sailor  who  can.  Although  the  latter 
sometimes  deface  the  paper  with  an  unintelligi- 
ble combination  of  pothooks,  they  generally 
merely  make  their  "mark  ;"  but  I  have  seldom 
seen  a  Yankee-born  sailor  who  could  not  write 
his  name.  This  early  education  is  their  safe- 
guard from  superstition  and  other  debasing  vices, 
and  shows  itself  one  of  the  inestimable  advanta- 


TOM    BROWN.  157 

ges  which  our  beloved  country  enjoys  over  all 
other  nations  of  the  earth. 

Why,  Tom  Brown !  how  I  have  run  away 
from  you ;  gone  off  dead  to  leeward  on  another 
chase.  I'll  brace  up,  then,  down  tacks  and  aft 
sheets !  So — now  we  are  alongside  again,  I'll 
tell  that  little  story  to  which  what  I've  been 
saying  is  incidental,  as  is  the  tail  of  a  cape  sheep 
to  his  hind  legs,  and  then  good-bye  to  you,  dear 
Tom,  for  to-night,  for  I  am  growing  sleepy,  and 
so  perhaps  will  my  readers. 

"  Starboard- watch,  ahoy  !  Eight  bells  there, 
below — tumble  up!"  sounded  from  the  fore-scut- 
tle one  night.  Well,  the  watch  of  course  obeyed 
the  summons,  and  came  on  deck  yawning  and 
rubbing  their  eyes. 

"  Hallo!"  cried  one  of  the  others,  "  what  are 
you  all  turning  out  for  at  six  bells?" 

u  Six  bells  !  what  did  you  call  us  for  then, 
and  say  it  was  eight  7" 

"Who  called  you?" 

<:  Why,  you,  or  some  of  your  watch." 

It  was  in  vain  for  the  larboard  watch  to  pro- 
test that  they  had  done  no  such  thing,  for  all 
below  heard  the  voice.  Mutual  recriminations 
ensued,  and  the  disturbance  was  only  quieted 
by  the  appearance  of  the  mate.  There  was  no- 
thing more  occurred  that  night :  but  at  six  bells 
of  the  next,  again  came  the  voice,  which  roused 
them  once  more  upon  deck.  Then  ensued  a 
8 


158  TOM   BROWN. 

fiercer  quarrel  than  before,  the  watch  on  deck 
making  oath  that  they  had  not  called  them,  and 
they  in  turn  swearing  that  they  were  called. 
Things  began.to  look  serious,  and  it  was  suggest- 
ed by  some  one,  and  immediately  voted,  that  it 
was  the  work  of  a  ghost !  For  several  nights 
the  voice  was  still,  but  many  could  not  sleep ; 
but  at  last,  after  watching  long,  one  bright  moon- 
shiny  night,  came  the  dreadful  voice  again,  in 
clear  and  distinct  tones — 

"  Starboard  watch,  ahoy !  Eight  bells  there 
below,  tumble  up  !" 

The  hail  was  heard  by  all  hands  on  deck  and 
below,  and  if  there  had  been  doubt  before,  there 
was  none  now — it  was  a  ghost !  In  the  midst 
of  the  universal  consternation,  Tom  proposed  to 
exorcise  him,  saying  he  had  seen  it  done,  and 
thought  he  could  do  it  himself  and  drive  the 
spirit  off.  He  accordingly  arranged  some  kids 
and  tin  pots  in  a  circle,  constituting  himself  the 
centre,  and  repeated  a  quantity  of  gibberish,  which 
he  said  was  Latin,  and  then  confidently  express- 
ed the  opinion  that  the  ghost  would  never  come 
again.  And  he  never  did  come  again,  for  in  ad- 
dition to  the  exorcism.  Tom  stowed  away  the  old 
hookah-pipe  which  he  had  led  up  from  his  berth 
up  underneath  the  ladder,  and  from  which  the 
startling  hail  so  oft.  proceeded  !  The  latter  part 
of  this  performance  did  not  become  public,  and 
Tom  Brown  accordingly  became  a  great  man;  and 
to  do  him  justice,  he  exercised  very  temperately 


TOM   BROWN.  159 

the  office  he  ever  after  held  on  board  the  Ellen, 
as  "bully  of  the  forecastle;"  and  he  and  this 
ghost  story  have  doubtless  obtained  a  great  no- 
toriety— the  latter,  as  the  bookmakers  say,  being 
"revised  and  corrected,  with  notes  and  annota- 
tions, with  preface  and  appendix,"  and  insisted 
upon  by  the  narrators  as  entitled  to  the  fullest 
belief,  "for  they  were  there  /" 


HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY- 


i,  THE  starboard  watch  of  the  "Isabella"  were 
seated  upon  the  forecastle,  as  usual,  one  fine 
night,  in  the  trades,  amusing  each  other  with 
divers  yarns.  As  the  last  one  ended,  Harry 
Spanker  fetched  a  sigh  and  looked  at  the  moon, 
remarking  in  reference  to  its  phasis  and  the 
story  just  recited,  u  That  moon  and  your  twist- 
er, Sam,  clapt  together,  reminds  me  of  some- 
thing I'd  almost  forgot,  about  my  running  foul 
of  a  snag,  too — -that  is,  being  in  love.  Let  me 
see — it  was  about  ten  years  ago— no  it  wasn't — 
that  wan't  the  time  I  mean  ;  I  believe  I  got 
foul  of  a  worse  one,  a  year  or  two  after  that 
scrape — but  hows'ever,  that  wouldn't  be  much 
of  a  yarn  neither — so  I'll  pitch  you  something 
that  happened  afore  either  of  'em. 

"  You  see  we  were  on  the  east  coast  of  Suma- 
tra, a  loadin'  betel  nut  for  China.  Now  you 
must  know,  there's  a  good  deal  of  ceremony  and 
gum  game  both  sides  in  that  business.  First 
place,  the  ship  comes  to,  off  one  of  the  towns — 


161 

yes,  towns  they  call  'em — sort  of  hog  pens 
ranged  in  tiers,  in  the  streets.  Well,  the  ship 
bangs  away  a  salute,  and  the  captain  goes 
ashore.  After  tumbling  over  the  surf,  you  get 
into  what  they  call  a  river,  which  is  just  no 
more  nor  no  less  than  a  dirty  creek — but  I'm 
blessed,  if  these  rivers  ain't  well  fortified — nat'- 
rally  fortified  like.  D'ye  see,  Jonathan,  the 
banks  are  lined  with  alligators,  about  forty-five 
foot  long,  stowed  close  together,  for  the  matter 
of  three  miles,  till  you  git  to  the  town.  They're 
bred  to  keep  guard — sort  o'  sodgers.  So  an  en- 
emy can't  land  nowhere,  'cause  they'd  swallow 
a  whole  ship's  company,  and  if  you  fire  at  'em, 
they'll  just  shut  their  mouths,  and  being  that 
their  eyes  is  the  only  port-holes  left  to  fire  into, 
they're  all  furnished  by  government  with  thick 
iron  blinkers,  so  all  they  have  to  do  is  just  to 
wink,  and  this  machine  drops, — besides,  it's 
dangerous  firing  at  'em  any  way,  for  they'll 
sometimes  ^atch  the  ball  on  the  end  of  their 
noses  and  send  it  back  again  at  you.  Hows' - 
ever,  being  at  peace  with  the  country,  they 
didn't  trouble  us.  What  I  looked  at,  though, 
first  time  going  up  one  of  the  rivers,  was  the  tel- 
egraphic monkeys." 

"  What's  a  telegraphic  monkey?"  asked  Jon- 
athan. 

"Why,"  replied  Harry,  "  Signal  monkeys 
means  the  same  thing.  The  number  of  'em  de- 
pends on  how  long  the  river  is ;  they  generally 


average  one  to  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  so ;  they're 
stationed  on  the  tallest  trees,  and  have  tails 
about  five  fathom  long.  They're  edicated  to 
tie  up  these  tails  in  different  kinds  of  knots.  I 
took  'em  to  be  Malay  letters.  They're  to  let  the 
Rajah  know  who's  coming  up  river.  So  when 
we  got  there,  the  old  fellow  was  all  ready  to  re- 
ceive us.  There  he  sot,  on  a  bamboo  grating, 
tailor  fashion,  with  a  skull  cap  on,  and  twenty 
or  thirty  fellows  squatting  round  him  and  mak- 
ing salaams.  We  shoved  the  boat  into  the  land- 
ing, and  our  skipper  jumps  ashore  and  walks 
right  towards  him,  not  taking  off  his  hat,  nor 
making  a  hoop  of  himself,  nor  nothin'. 

The  old  Rajah  looked  mad  at  first,  and  his 
understrappers  looked  shocked,  for  they  think 
their  Rajah  is  a  touch  above  our  President. 
"  Taby,  Tuan,"  growled  the  old  fellow,  at  last. 
That  means  '-Good  morning,  sir,"  d'ye  see. 
"  Good  morning,"  says  the  skipper;  "  don't 
care  if  I  sit  down:"  and  with  tha&he  planks 
himself  upon  the  grating  alongside  of  him.  The 
Rajah  soon  found  that  it  was  no  use  to  try  to 
come  dignity  over  our  captain,  or  else  he 
wouldn't  trade  with  him.  So  they  palavered 
away  for  a  while,  and  when  they  got  through, 
we  shoved  off  and  went  aboard  •  and  I  noticed 
that  just  as  we  got  over  the  bar,  the  last  tele- 
graphic monkey  cocked  his  tail  up  and  made  an 
O  of  it,  which  meant,  I  suppose,  "  they're  Off." 

11  That's  all  very  true,  no  doubt,"  said  Jona- 


163 

than;  "but  what's  it  to  do  with  your  being  in 
love?" 

"  You're  green  yet,"  said  Harry ;  "  you  don't 
know  nothin'  about  a  yarn.  Don't  you  always 
reeve  the  gear  and  rig  out  the  boom  first,  afore 
you  set  a  stu'n-sail ;  and  which  takes  longest  to 
get  ready,  or  to  set  it?  Don't  you  know,  too, 
that  if  the  gear  is  rove  shipshape  and  nothin' 
foul,  the  sail  hoists  out  all  the  easier,  though  it 
may  be  nothin'  but  a  small  kite  of  a  royal  stu'n- 
sail  after  all  ?  Well,  the  next  day  off  comes  the 
old  Rajah  in  his  prahu  to  return  the  visit.  We 
had  the  decks  cleaned,  and  the  pigs  stowed 
away — for  it  won't  do  to  let  'em  touch  a  pig  or 
see  one.  It's  against  their  religion  to  eat  pork, 
'cause  how,  I  suppose  they  look  upon  it  as  a 
sort  of  cannibalism.  So  the  old  chap  bundled 
himself  up  the  side,  followed  by  a  whole  gang 
of  lackeys,  and  the  captain  had  a  dinner  for 
him.  Tl^^evvard  said  he  wouldn't  drink  any 
liquor  at  iMPtable.  It  was  against  his  religion 
to  drink  afore  folks,  just  as  it  is  with  some  tee- 
totalers, but  after  dinner  he  winked  at  one  of 
his  boys,  who  fisted  all  the  bottles  and  passed 
them  into  the  prahu,  telling  the  rest  of  'em  it 
was  "eyer  manis" — a  kind  of  sweetened  water 
they  drink.  Fact  was,  he  was  conscientious,  and 
didn't  like  to  set  a  bad  example. 

Well,  the  old  fellow  and  the  captain  began  to 
make  a  bargain  for  betel  nut.  But  the  Rajah 
wanted  his  money  afore  he'd  give  the  nut,  and 


164          HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY. 

the  skipper  wanted  the  nut  afore  he'd  pay  for  it 
— and  there  they  were  at  loggerheads.  So  the 
old  Rajah,  finding  he  couldn't  get  the  money, 
took  off  his  skull  cap  and  began  to  scratch  his 
head — for  an  idea,  I  suppose.  At  last  he  got 
one. 

"I'll  tell  you  what,  captain,"  says  he. 
"Give  me  one  of  your  men  for  security,  and 
you  shall  have  five  hundred  dollars'  worth  of 
nut,  and  then  you  pay  for  it,  and  so  go  on 
again." 

You  see  the  old  chap  set  some  value  upon  a 
sailor.  I  wish  folks  at  home  did  the  one  hun- 
dredth part  as  much.  The  captain  said  he  was 
willing,  but  he  wouldn't  force  any  of  us  to  go — 
he'd  call  for  a  volunteer. 

Up  jumps  I,  for  I  knew  the  old  man  wouldn't 
go  off  and  leave  me ;  and  besides  I  took  a  fancy 
to  the  old  Rajah,  'cause  he  valued  a  sailor  so 
high.  ^ 

"Very  well,"  says  the  captain,WKiind  and 
behave  yourself  ashore,  and  don't  get  into  any 
scrapes." 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  says  I,  and  down  I  went  and 
bundled  up  all  my  clean  clothes  and  borrowed 
one  or  two  white  shirts  from  the  second  dick- 
ey, so  as  to  look  respectable  amongst  the  hea- 
thens. I  minded  how  the  skipper  come  it  over 
the  Raj-ah  ashore,  and  so  I  jumps  into  the  stern 
sheets  of  the  prahu,  took  out  a  cigar;  and  trou- 
bled him  for  a  light,  and  then  advised  him  to 


HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY.  165 

throw  away  his  roco  and  take  a  long  nine. 
He  looked  confounded  hard  at  me  at  first,  but 
just  then  the  ship  give  us  a  salute,  and  that 
tickled  him  so,  he  got  good-natured,  give  me  a 
light,  and  took  a  long  nine — then  he  puffed  away 
at  it  and  said,  "Bagoose!"  I  thought  at  first 
he  was  calling  me  a  goose,  but  I  found  out  after- 
wards that  it  meant  "  good  !" 

By  the  time  we  got  into  the  river  we  were 
pretty  sociable,  considerin'  we  couldn't  under- 
stand a  word  of  each  other's  lingo.  The  tele- 
graphic monkeys  stuck  up  their  tails  on  end 
twice,  which  meant  that  there  was  two  of  us, 
and  the  alligator  guards  salaamed  with  their 
fore  paws  over  their  noses,  and  looked  as  mili- 
tary as  the  dandy  companies  at  home  that  make 
forced  marches  over  railroads.  On  a  pinch  I 
think  they'd  fight  as  well  too.  Their  principles 
is  better  than  our  sodgers,  who  never  can  make 
a  campaigifw-ithout  shovin'  an  h  into  the  word, 
but  these  cn'a^s  nat' rally  take  to  water. 

We  landed  in  style  at  the  town,  and  the  old 
chap  was  off  to  his  harem,  leaving  his  under- 
strappers  to  look  out  for  me.  First,  though,  he 
made  a  short  speech  to  me,  which  the  inter- 
preter  turned  over  into  some  sort  of  English. 
The  amount  of  it  was,  "that  he  considered  me 
a  pretty  clever  chap,  and  as  long  as  I  behaved 
myself,  I  should  live  like  a  fightin'  cock;  but 
when  I  didn't,  I  should  be  cooked  for  the  alli- 
gators." 

8* 


166  HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY. 

They  marched  me  off  to  a  decent-looking  hut, 
and  sarved  me  up  a  supper  in  style,  on  silver 
dishes,  and  then  two  servants  came  and  said 
they'd  lend  me  a  hand  to  undress;  but  I  kicked 
them  out,  and  when  I  got  ready,  I  turned  in. 
Well,  you  see,  I  was  in  clover,  as  you'd  say, 
Jonathan.  Breakfast  was  sarved  the  same  way 
next  morning,  but  after  that  I  felt  lonesome,  so 
I  called  over  to  see  Mr.  Rajah,  and  we  had  a 
smoke  together  till  our  chaps  comes  ashore. 
Soon  as  I  see  the  boat  a  coming,  I  comes  tailor 
too  along  side  of  the  old  boy,  and  shoves  a  fist 
full  of  betel  nut  into  my  mouth,  and  kicked  two 
boys.  I  began  to  feel  big  like  an  office-holder. 
"Taby,  tuan,"  says  I  to  the  skipper,  touchin' 
my  hat.  He  laughed,  and  the  old  boy  looked 
good-natured.  So  I  calls  my  two  servants,  and 
takes  the  boat's  crew  over  to  my  house,  and 
give  'em  a  blow  out,  while  the  Rajah  and  the 
captain  was  having  their  palaver.  By  and  by 
the  old  man  sung  out  for  the  bSaf,  and  they 
went  off.  Then  I  just  took  a  cruise  round  the 
town.  All  the  heathens  was  very  civil  to  me, 
and  called  meuTuan" — that's  "Mister,  "you  see 
— or  rather  it  means  a  bit  more — "  Your  honor," 
or  the  like  of  that. 

Well,  so  I  killed  the  first  day,  and  had  a  good 
dinner  and  supper ;  but  then  I  began  to  feel  lone- 
some again  at  evening,  and  just  as  I  was  casting 
about  what  to  do,  in  comes  the  interpreter,  and 


HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY.  167 

says  the  Rajah  wanted  me  to  come  over  and  see 
the  dance. 

"  Dance  !"  says  I.  "  that's  the  ticket !"  So  up  I 
gets  and  follows  over  to  the  Rajah's.  Afore  I 
got  there,  I  heard  the  turn-turns,  and  fifes,  and 
bells.  Well,  there  was  the  ball-room — not  exactly 
a  room,  neither,  for  it  was  all  out  doors.  Rajah 
made  a  motion  to  me  to  come  up  and  sit  along- 
side of  him  ;  so  we  looked  right  down  upon  the 
dancers,  who  were  girls,  and  some  pretty  ones,  too. 
They  were  rigged  flashy,  and  had  bells  and 
clappers  stopped  to  'em  all  over;  and  the  bright 
lights  would  glisten  on  their  gold  and  silver  gear. 

Rajah  looks  at  me  as  much  as  to  say  :  "  Have 
you  got  anything  that'll  come  up  to  this  in  Ame- 
rica?" I  thought  it  was  best  to  keep  on  the 
right  side  of  him,  so  I  says  :  "  They  do  beat  our 
dancers  out  and  out ;"  and  it  wasn't  much  of  a 
lie  neither,  for  they  beat  'em  a  good  deal  in  mo- 
desty. But  there  was  one  !  oh  dear,  it  makes 
me  sigh  again ;  she  was  a  touch  above  extra ; 
her  hair  was  black,  her  eyes  were  black ;  to  be 
sure  her  skin  was  a  little  blackish,  too,  but  not 
much  ;  and  she  had  a  smile  on  her  face  that  set 
like  a  handsome  cut  topsail  to  new  smooth  spars ; 
her  neck  and  shoulders  was  like  a  neat  mast 
coat,  and  she  was  catharpened  in  snug ;  her 
counters  was  rounded  off,  just  enough  to  be 
handsome;  and  when  you  get  down  to  her  floor- 
timbers,  all  I  can  say  is,  that  nature  got  'em  out 
neat. 


168          HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY. 

1  couldn't  look  at  any  of  the  rest  of  'em,  tho' 
she  took  no  notice  of  me  at  first ;  but  by  and 
by,  when  Rajah  gets  asleep,  she  looks  at  me 
once  in  a  while,  and  soon  seeing  that  I  was  look- 
ing at  her  all  the  time,  she  got  to  looking  at  me 
all  the  time,  too.  So  that  often,  when  it  came 
her  turn  to  go  round,  she  missed  stays,  and  had 
to  ware.  At  last,  in  waring,  she  got  foul  of  some 
of  the  rest  of  the  fleet,  and  that  interfered  with 
the  whole  order  of  sailing.  This  made  such  a 
noise  that  it  woke  old  Rajah  up,  and  as  he  hap- 
pened to  wake  up  cross,  he  sung  out,  "  Suda  !" 
that  means  "  enough,"  you  see,  and  they  all 
made  sail  out  of  the  ring.  But  Lulu  (that  was 
her  name)  made  a  stern  board  of  it,  exchanging 
signals  with  me  all  the  time  till  she  got  out. 

Boys,  I  was  in  for  it !  I  didn't  know  which 
end  I  stood  on,  but  I  managed  to  bid  the  Rajah 
"  good  night,"  told  him  it  was  "  bagoose"  and 
went  over  to  my  house.  But  I  couldn't  sleep  a 
wink.  I  tried  to  think  what  folks  ought  to  do, 
that's  in  love.  At  last  I  remembered  reading  in 
a  book  that  somebody  that  was  sick  of  the  same 
disorder  used  "  to  gaze  on  the  silver  moon  and 
the  radiant  stars  what  floated  about  in  the  azure 
sea  of  ether."  So  I  gits  up,  knocks  out  one  of 
the  deadlights,  and  looked  aloft.  But  I  got  tired 
of  it,  and  turned  in  again — but  I  couldn't  git 
asleep.  So  I  turns  out  once  more,  and  goes  out 
doors  to  walk  a  bit.  I  was  walking  along,  slow. 


HARRY    SPANKKR-'S    LOVE    STORY.  169 

a  thinking  of  Lulu,  when  I  heard  a  soft  voice 
alongside  of  me  whisper,  "  Tuan." 

Did  you  e?er  touch  one  of  them  'lectric  ma- 
chines ashore  1  Well,  you  felt  a  little  as  I  did 
then  !  I  was  struck  all  aback,  but  I  looked 
round,  and  just  then  the  star  Venus  struck  into 
them  eyes,  and  shone  back  into  mine  again,  so 
that  I  went  off  like  a  keg  of  powder.  I  can't  sit 
still  now  and  think  of  it.  Howsever,  after  the 
flusterfication  was  over,  we  got  sot  down  on  a 
bamboo  log,  and  found  that  different  lingos  makes 
little  difference  in  love.  There  we  sot,  and  though 
the  toads,  and  lizards,  and  land-crabs  crawled 
round  us,  I  couldn't  find  it  in  my  heart  to  hurt 
'em,  I  was  so  happy  myself;  and  when  I  put 
my  arm  round  her  neck,  it  was  as  if  forty  thou- 
sand of  them  'lectric  machines  was  rubbing  us 
both  all  over.  The  long  and  short  of  it  was, 
that  it  was  two  bells  of  the  morning  watch  afore 
we  went  home.  Well,  you  see  I  was  in  love. 

Love,  I  say,  is  a  nat'ral  thing.  Folks  ashore 
falls  in  love.  I've  heard  of  Indians  falling  in 
love,  and  niggers  I  know  does,  for  I've  seen  'em 
put  their  lips  together  like  four  beefsteaks.  So  I 
don't  see  why  sailors  hasn't  a  right  to  their 
share  ! 

Rajah  used  to  have  the  dances  almost  every 
night,  and  every  night  I  used  to  walk  with  Lulu 
and  sit  down  on  the  bamboo  log,  and  I  soon  got 
so  that  I  could  say  sweet  things  to  her  in  Malay. 
I  was  happy  as  a  clam  at  high  water  !  When 


170 

the  captain  came  ashore,  he  used  to  ask  me  if  I 
didn't  want  to  be  relieved,  but  I  told  him  I  was 
very  well  off,  and  as  Rajah  took  a  fancy  to  me, 
he  let  me  stay. 

But  there's  an  end  to  the  middle  watch;  there's 
an  end  to  the  world ;  there's  an  end  to  a  long 
yarn,  and  there's  an  end  to  love.  At  last  we  got 
in  all  the  cargo  we  were  to  take  in  at  Qiialla 
Mengallan  ;  and  the  captain  came  ashore,  and 
told  me  we  were  to  go  down  to  Sawang  next 
day ;  and  I  was  to  go  off  aboard  with  him.  I 
never  felt  worse,  and  I  looked — I  don't  know 
how. 

"  I  suppose  you  are  glad  to  hear  it,"  says  he. 

"  No,  sir,  I'm  not,"  says  I.  "  I  should  like  to 
stop  here  forever." 

"What!"  says  he. 

"  I  should  like  to  stop  here  forever  and  ever 
Amen,  sir!"  says  I. 

"What  to  do?"  says  he.  "Eat  rice  and 
curry,  drink  cocoanut  milk,  and — ? 

"And  marry  Lulu,  sir,"  says  I.  "Now  it's 
out !  " 

He  looked  one  way,  and  then  t'other  way,  for 
a  minute,  and  then  roared  out,  "'Get  into  the 
boat,  sir ! " 

"Let  me  go  over  to  the  house,  sir,"  says  I, 
"and  get  my  traps." 

"  No  !  "  says  he ;  "  I'll  send  one  of  the  other 
men  for  them." 

I  didn't  get  into  the  boat,  for  I  sort  o'dropped 


171 

in.  In  two  or  three  minutes  we  shoved  off,  and 
just  as  we  got  into  the  stream,  down  comes  poor 
Lulu  on  the  bank,  with  her  hands  clasped  over 
her  bosom,  and  the  salt  water  a-runnin'  out  of 
her  scuppers.  I  took  off  my  neck  handkerchief 
and  waved  it,  then  the  boat  shot  round  a  point, 
and  that  was  the  last  I  ever  saw  of  Lulu.  I 
didn't  get  over  it  for  a  fortnight ! 

When  we  got  down  to  Sawang,  I  found  a 
fellow  who  spoke  English,  about  going  up  to 
Qualla  Mengallan.  So  1  wrote  a  bit  of  poetry, 
and  sent  it  up,  and  got  him  to  translate  it  for 
her,  and  she  answered  it." 

"Come,  come,"  said  Charley  Brail,  " that's  a 
little  too  much." 

"She  did,  though,"  said  Harry;  "she  wrote 
it  on  a  piece  of  plantain  bark,  and  I  shouldn't 
wonder  if  it  was  in  my  chest  now.  This  is  what 
it  was : 

'  Tuan  manis,  mana  blaya 
Kenapa  kata  sama  say  a  ? 

Kalou  mata  hari  t'ada, 
Bulan  banya  sakit  ada. 

Lulu  pangil  s'rivou  kalee, 
Jangan  ratan  dia  cumbalee  !  ' 

There  !  d'ye  believe  it  now  1 " 

"What  is  the  English  of  it?'  asked  Charley, 
somewhat  staggered. 

' '  Look  it  out  in  the  dictionary,"  replied  Harry, 
"  same  as  folks  has  to  do,  that  reads  French  and 
Italian  in  novels." 

But  though  Harry  was  not  disposed  to  gratify 


172  HARRY  SPANKER'S  LOVE  STORY. 

Charley's  curiosity,  I  have  no  disposition  to 
leave  my  fair  readers — (and  I  am  quite  confident 
that  I  have  some) — in  ignorance — for  the  title 
"  Love  Story  "  is  sure  always  to  attract  their  at- 
tention. It  amounts  to  something  like  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"  I  sit  alone  in  tears  forlorn, 
My  lover  and  my  friend  is  gone, 
Ah,  so  would  fade  the  queen  of  night, 
Should  but  the  sun  withdraw  his  light. 
I  call  a  thousand  times  in  vain, 
Thy  voice  I  ne'er  shall  hear  again  !  " 

"  Well,  well,"  said  Charley,  "  it  may  part  of  it 
be  true." 

"It's  founded  on  fact,"  replied  Harry. 

"  But  there's  one  thing  I  don't  hardly  believe," 
continued  Charley;  "that  is,  them  what  d'ye 
call  'em  monkeys ;  and  as  for  them  cold  water 
sodgers.  the  thing  aint  according  to  natur,  so  it 
can't  be  true.  I  don't  like  your  '  founded  on  fact' 
yarns,  any  way ;  I  like  the  truth.  Now  I'll  tell 
you  something  true. 

"EIGHT  BELLS,  THERE  !"  sang  out  the  second 
mate. 

"  Ah,  that's  better  than  a  yarn,  any  time. 
Strike  the  bell  eight,  Jonathan,  and  I'll  pitch  my 
yarn  to-morrow  night." 


CHARLEY  BRAIL'S  TRUE  STORY- 


The  middle  watch  of  the  next  night,  found  the 
same  company  seated  on  the  forecastle,  that  lis- 
tened to  Harry  Spanker's  edifying  yarn,  during 
the  first  watch  of  the  night  preceding. 

"Now.  then,  Charley,"  said  Harry,  "for  that 
yarn  of  yours  !  I  spun  a  twister  last  night,  and 
you  said  you  was  going  to  give  us  something 
true  to-night.  You  wouldn't  believe  what  I  told 
you." 

"  Yes,  I  will,"  replied  Charley,  "if  you'll  be- 
lieve mine.  I'm  going  to  tell  'the  truth,  the 
whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,'  as  they 
say  in  Court,  when  they  expect  you  to  make  out 
the  best  story  you  can  on  one  side,  and  keep  dark 
about  t'other.  They  goes  on  the  principle  there, 
that  there's  three  things  alike — truth,  a  Manila 
hawser,  and  a  lawyer's  conscience — they  can  all 
shrink  and  stretch,  and  yet  they're  all  amazing 
tough.  Truth  is  a  queer  thing  any  way.  I 
heard  a  minister  preach  once  from  the  text, 
'What  is  truth?'  and  he  made  it  out  that  every- 


174  CHARLEY  BRAIL'S  TRUE  STORY. 

body  was  a  liar  but  him,  and  like  enough  a  fellow 
on  t'other  side,  would  have  made  him  out  a  bigger 
liar  than  all  of  'em." 

Having  thus  prefaced  his  remarks,  Charley 
fortified  his  mouth  with  a  fresh  supply  of  the 
weed,  that  while  his  tongue  was  wagging,  his 
masticators  might  not  remain  unemployed.  "So 
here  goes,"  he  continued,  "but  first  let  me  ask 
you,  if  you  was  ever  in  Batavia,  any  of  you  ?" 

"  No?  Well,  then,  I  wouldn't  advise  you  to 
try  it.  Of  all  the  dirty,  sickly  holes  in  this  world, 
that  is  the  worst.  Orleans  and  Havana  ain't  to  be 
mentioned  the  same  day.  That  Java  is  a  fine 
island  and  has  plenty  of  high  land,  where  it  is 
as  healthy  as  it  is  at  home,  and  plenty  of  good 
harbours,  where  they  might  have  cities — but 
you  see  it  was  settled  by  the  Dutchmen,  and 
they  thought  they  couldn't  live  without  they 
could  look  into  a  canal,  no  more  than  they  could 
live  without  gin  and  tobacco — just  'cause  they 
had  ?em  at  home.  So  they  goes  to  work  and 
picks  out  the  nastiest  swamp  on  the  whole 
island,  and  digs  canals  and  builds  brick  houses 
with  old-fashioned  glass  windows  and  shutters, 
hot  enough  for  bake-houses  in  Russia,  and  then 
they  lays  down  and  dies  off  like  sheep — very 
contented  'cause  all  round  looks  so  much  like 
home  !  That's  the  way  it's  sickly  in  the  town, 
but  it's  worse  in  the  roads. 

"  The  sun  is  powerful  hot  all  day,  excepting 


CHARLEY  BRAIL'S  TRUE  STORY.  175 

now  and  then  when  it  rains  like  it  did  in  Noah's 
time,  and  then  it  clears  off  so  quick,  and  the 
sun  comes  so  hot,  that  your  wet  clothes  a'most 
scald  you.  There's  a  canal  about  two  miles 
long,  that  runs  up  to  the  town ;  and  when,  you 
pull  up  this  canal  early  of  a  morning,  the  smell 
is  worse  than  a  Spanish  kitchen.  The  land 
breeze  comes  off  at  night  and  blows  till  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  This  wind  brings  off 
all  this  nosegay  among  the  shipping,  and  there's 
yellow  fever  or  fever  and  ague  in  every  puff  of 
it.  Now  mind  what  I  tell  you,  if  ever  you  have 
to  go  there  :  Don't  go  ashore  to  stop  over  night, 
unless  you  go  out  to  the  country, — and  that 
sailors  can't  well  do.  Don't  sleep  on  deck — 
mind  that ;  and  don't  drink  any  of  their  infernal 
arrack.  If  you  once  get  that  fever,  you're  very 
apt  to  kick  the  bucket  right  off;  and  if  you  get 
over  it,  you'll  never  be  as  well  as  before.  Now 
this  is  all  true.  The  rest  of  my  yarn,  I  expect 
Harry  to  believe  when  I  believe  his. 

"  Well,  I  gqt  thefever  and  ague  shocking  bad, 
and  had  to  go  to  the  hospital.  That's  a  fine 
building  out  in  the  country,  and  I  should  have 
had  a  first  rate  time  there  ;  only  I  was  sick,  and 
they  wouldn't  allow  me  anything  to  eat  till  I  got 
better,  when  they  give  me  mosquito  broth,  and  I 
soon  got  so  as  to  eat  a  small  piece  of  the  breast. 
The  Batavia  mosquito  is  very  delicate  eating ; 
when  he's  cooked,  you  can't  tell  one  from  a  large 
wild  turkey  ;  but  when  they're  flying,  you  can 


176          CHARLEY  BRAIL'S  TRUE  STORY. 

always  tell  'em  by  the  length  of  their  bills ;  be- 
sides, they're  white,  and  flap  their  wings  different. 

"  The  hospital  was  chock  full.  There  were 
about  four  hundred  of  us  in  it,  on  an  average. 
Sometimes  ninety  or  a  hundred  would  die  of  a 
day,  but  we  soon  had  our  complement  again, 
and  so  we  kept  about  square.  You've  heard  of 
the  fever  and  ague  out  West ;  how  they  shake 
themselves  out  of  bed  ?  But  it  won't  begin  with 
it  in  Batavia.  They're  obliged  to  have  iron  bed- 
steads at  the  hospital,  with  sides  to  'em  like  a 
bunk,  so  a  fellow  can't  shake  himself  out  One 
night  a  chap,  that  was  in  the  next  tier  to  me, 
got  a  fit  on  him.  The  room  shook  so,  it  woke 
me  up,  and  it  wan't  long  afore  the  iron  bedstead 
went  to  pieces,  and  the  fellow  shook  all  over  the 
ward  like  a  drop  of  quicksilver  on  a  shovel.  The 
noise  woke  up  one  of  the  nurses,  who  said  the  fit 
was  rather  severer  than  common. 

"Sometimes  when  a  hundred  or  two  get  the  fit 
together,  you  might  hear  the  bones  rattle  for  a 
quarter  of  a  mile;  however,  the  building  is  strong. 
You  see  where  these  front  teeth  are  gone?  Well, 
I  shook  'em  out  there.  It's  a  dreadful  thing,  is 
the  fever  and  ague  !  I  think  it  accounts  for  earth- 
quakes. I  wouldn't  like  to  be  aboard  of  a  down 
east  ship  with  a  man  who  had  one  of  these  fits 
on  him ;  she  wouldn't  be  safe.  Bui  I  don't  like  to 
think  of  it.  I  have  to  hold  on  to  this  bitt  now  for 
fear  the  thoughts  of  it  might  shake  me  overboard ! 

"  Finally  I  got  well,  for  I  shook  it  all  out,  and 


CHARLEY    BRAII/S   TRUE    STORY.  177 

then  I  was  adrift,  for  the  ship  had  sailed  long 
before,  and  there  was  no  other  American  in  port. 
But  I  couldn't  afford  to  be  idle,  and  so  I  shipped 
on  board  of  a  Dutchman  rather  than  starve. 
You  see  there  had  been  a  row  up  to  the  north- 
ward of  Borneo,  between  the  natives  and  some 
Dutchmen,  and  so  the  government  were  going 
to  punish  the  I^tives.  The  Natives,  you  know, 
were  to  blame  $f  course.  The  Dutch  govern- 
ment thought  so  any  way,  just  as  ours  did  when 
they  sent  out  a  frigate  to  the  West  Coast  of  Su- 
matra to  burn  down  a  town,  'cause  the  people 
didn't  like  to  be  cheated.  I  tell  you  what,  if 
government  had  sent  out  by  that  frigate  as  many 
dollars  as  the  Malays  have  been  cheated  out  of 
by  Americans,  she'd  have  drawed  more  water 
than  she  did. 

''  But  to  go  on  with  my  yarn :  A  man  o'  war  and 
some  sodgers  was  to  be  sent  up  to  this  place  to 
kill  a  few  Natives,  and  our  vessel  was  taken  up 
for  one  of  the  transports.  It  was  in  the  norther- 
ly monsoon,  arid  as  the  port  was  dead  to  wind- 
ward, fifty  days  was  allowed  to  be  a  fair  pas- 
sage, considering  the  vessels  were  all  dull  sailers 
and  Dutch.  The  skippers  got  their  instructions 
from  the  Commodore,  which  was  to  keep  com- 
pany and  mind  his  signals  ;  but  if  they  should 
get  separated,  to  get  into  port  the  best  way  they 
could.  So  we  got  underweigh  and  went  along 
very  comfortable  for  three  or  four  days,  getting 


178  CHARLEY  BRAIL'S  TRUE  STORY. 

to  the  eastward  through  the  Java  Sea,  keeping 
close  together  and  obeying  signals  all  right. 

"  It  was  on  the  sixth  day  out,  when  we  got 
abreast  of  the  south  east  land  of  Borneo.  The 
old  commodore  was  Doubtful  whether  he  had 
better  try  to  beat  up  the  Straits  of  Macassar,  or 
try  some'of  the  eastern  passages.  While  he  was 
thinking  about  it,  he  spoke  a  fmirteen  hundred 
ton  ship,  belonging  to  Messrs.  lowland  &  Co.  of 
London,  homeward  bound,  with  a  full  cargo  of 
oil  from  Macassar,  and  she  reported  such  strong 
southerly  currents  in  the  Straits,  that  the  com- 
modore concluded  to  square  away  for  the  east- 
ward. The  captain  of  this  ship  (her  name  was 
the  "Oleagenous")  sent  aboard  of  us  to  see  if 
he  could  get  some  scissors.  His  hair  growed  so 
by  smelling  the  oil,  that  he'd  wore  out  two  or 
three  pair  of  'em ;  and  as  to  the  men,  poor  fel- 
lows, that  had  been  obliged  to  work  amongst  the 
casks,  the  hair  growed  all  over  'em  so  fast,  that 
they  had  to  spell  one  another,  a  singeing  it  off. 

"Well,  after  the  old  commodore  made  signals 
to  square  away,  we  stood  along  for  about  five 
miles,  when  it  died  away  nearly  calm  ;  and  as 
the  current  was  against  us,  the  old  chap  made 
signal  for  the  fleet  to  anchor.  Now,  our  skipper 
thought  that  as  there  was  twenty-five  or  thirty 
fathoms  of  water  and  the  wind  so  light,  that  the 
stream  would  hold  as'  well  as  the  best  bower. 
So  we  clewed  up  our  sails,  cleared  away  the 
stream  and  let  it  go.  But  what  do  you  think, 


179 

boys  !  As  soon  as  that  stream  was  gone,  and 
about  forty  fathom  of  chain  ran  out  and  nip- 
pered,  instead  of  fetching  us  up,  her  head  flew 
round  to  the  northward,  and  she  went  ahead  at 
the  rate  of  eleven  knot  an  hour,  which  was  four 
knot  faster  than  the  old  <  Vrow  Julie '  ever  went 
before. 

"  '  Give  her  more  chain  !'  cried  the  skipper — 
'  Donder  und  mitzen!'  says  he,  'what's  the 
matter?  Clear  away  both  bowers  !' 

But  every  body  was  so  frightened  they  could 
not  do  a  thing.  In  a  minute  or  two  the  commo- 
dore set  the  VTOW  Julie's  number  with  the  signal 
to  anchor,  and  kept  hauling  it  up  and  down  to 
make  us  take  notice  of  it.  But  we  kept  on. 
Then  he  fired  a  gun  to  wake  us  up.  On  we 
stivered,  and  then  came  a  shot  a  whistling  by  us. 
Then  he  waited  a  minute  or  two  to  see  if  we 
minded  that,  and  finding  we  didn't,  he  sent 
another— but  that  fell  short,  and  he^  didn't  try 
again ! 

"All  this  time  we  were  frightened  enough — 
there  was  the  commodore's  shots  a  booming  af- 
ter us — there  was  the  stream  chain  a  tendin'  out 
right  ahead,  and  there  was  we  a  going  like  a 
chain  of  greased  lightning,  whipped  by  a  thun- 
derbolt. 

"  '  Dis-ist-ter-tuyvel !'  said  the  skipper ;  'I  be- 
lieve he's  got  hold  of  the  Vrow  Julie."  Then  he 
looked  in  the  binnacle  and  see  that  she  headed 
N.  N.  E.  Now  that  was  the  course  into  the 


180 

Straits  of  Maccassar.  So  he  grunted  and  hitched 
up  his  breeches,  and  ordered  the  helm  to  be  put 
amidships,  having  come  to  the  conclusion  that  if 
it  was  l  ter  tuyvel,'  he  was  a  pretty  good  pilot 
in  those  seas.  So  he  lights  his  pipe,  gets  a  com- 
pass out  on  the  poop,  and  sits  down  to  take  the 
bearings  of  the  points  and  islands  as  we  went 
by  them.  And  it  was  about  as  much  as  one 
man  could  attend  to,  let  me  tell^ou.  Away  we 
went,  then,  dead  to  windward,  up  the  Straits  of 
Macassar.  The  skipper's  taking  it  so  cool,  made 
us  do  so  too  ;  so  we  laid  aloft,  and  give  the  sails 
a  snug  furl.  The  old  mate  stuck  his  eyes  out 
of  his  head,  at  making  figures  in  the  log-book 
he  never  made  before. 

"  'Nevermind,'  said  the  skipper,  'boys,  as 
long  as  she  goes  the  right  way,  let  her  go :  and 
when  she  don't,  we'll  slip  the  chain.'  And  so 
he  loaded  his  pipe  again,  and  called  for  a  coal 
of  fire,  and  a  glass  of  gin. 

"Well,  she  did  go  just  right ;  for  when  she  got 
abreast  of  Pulo  Laut,  she  kept  up  due  ^crth, 
and  shaped  a  course  slap  through  the  Paternos- 
ters. After  she'd  cleared  them,  she  kept  off 
again  N.N.E.  ;  and  of  course,  when  she  got  Ha- 
ring's  Island  to  bear  S.  E.,  why  there  we  was  in 
the  Sooloo  Sea,  and  the  skipper  went  below  to 
get  a  snooze  !  But  he  couldn'  t  sleep  long — that 
is,  for  a  Dutchman — not  more  than  fifteen  hours 
or  80^  afore  it  was  time  to  look  out  for  the  Ta- 
wee  Islands  :  but  here  she  went  all  right  again. 


181 

To  make  a  long  story  short,  in  two  days  from 
letting  go  our  anchor,  we  were  off  Madura  Bay, 
where  we  were  bound  ! 

11  Now  then,  Mr.  Von  Smokesleepandgin,"  says 
the  skipper  to  the  mate,  "  we'll  get  ready  to  slip 
the  chain.  But  just  as  we  were  going  to  do  it, 
the  ship  went  over  a  bar  that  laid  across  the 
mouth  of  the  harbor  with  three  or  four  fathom 
water  on  it,  and  all  at  once  she  stopped  and 
swung  to  the  wind !  Thirty-eight  days  after- 
ward, the  rest  of  the  fleet  came  in ! 

"  Did  you  ever  find  out  how  you  got  there  so 
quick?"  asked  Jonathan. 

"Yes,  we  did,"  replied  Charley  Brail,  "for  we 
had  no  sooner  come  to  a  stand  still,  than  a  large 
whale  came  up  alongside,  a  looking  very  tired 
and  sweaty,  and  a  good  deal  chafed  about  the 
blow-hole.  We  had  dropped  the  fluke  of  the 
stream  anchor  into  it,  and  it  scared  him  so  he 
set  out  to  run  away,  but  you  see  he  had  to  take 
us  with  him  !  We  happened  to  go  right,  but  I 
don't  suppose  he  knew  that  bar  was  there,  for 
it's  an  out-of-the-way  place,  and  ain't  often  called 
at  by  ships  nor  whales.  So  he  struck  on  it,  and 
in  trying  to  clear  himself,  he  rolled  over,  and  our 
anchor  dropped  out." 
9 


DAVID  WILLIAMS,  THE  STEWARD. 


THERE  was,  on  board  the  Maria,  a  functionary 
common  to  all  ships,  called  a  steward,  who  was 
certainly  a  curiosity.  The  shining  black  of  his 
complexion  would  vie  with  the  reflected  image 
of  the  sun  in  a  tar-barrel ;  between  his  saucer 
lips  were  seen  two  or  three  tobacco-stained  tusks, 
when  he  deigned  to  smile.  His  eyes  resembled 
two  parched  peas,  and  his  wool  partook  about 
equally  of  black  and  white.  Flesh  and  blood  he 
had  little  of,  but  of  skin  and  bone  a  very  fair 
proportion.  His  understanding  was  rather  lim- 
ited, his  two  little  toes  being  among  the  missing, 
which  circumstance  can  be  best  explained  in  his 
own  language. 

"  Why,  sar,  I  tell  you  just  how  dese  here  toes 
been  come  gone.  You  see  I  was  gwoin  to  Bata- 

via  in  the  H ,  long  with  Captain  Ned  B , 

three  years  done  gone  smce  last  winter.  We 
cotched  a  northeaster  in  the  bay,  in  quinsiconse 
of  which  my  toes  got  friz,  as  it  was,  preternatu- 
ral cold.  Well,  when  they  got  thawed,  they 


DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE   STEWARD.  183 

!  was  excruciating  sore ;  and  when  we  got  to  Ba- 
tavia  the  excruciating  preponderated  most  ex- 
cessive. So  one  day  the  doctor  come  board  and 
look  at  'em.  '  Teward,'  says  he,  *  I'll  amptate 
'em  to-morrow.'  "Stremely  obliged,'  says  I.  So 
next  day  off  come  doctor.  c  Git  up  on  table 
dare,'  says  he.  So  I  gets  up.  Wall,  he  takes  out 
a  most  opprobious  looking  knife. 

"  '  Hullo,  doctor,'  says  I.  { what  you  gwoin  do  V 

"  '  Cut  your  toes  off,'  says  he. 

"  t  Cut  my  toes  off?'  says  I;  '  why  I  t'o't  you 
was  gwoin  to  amptate  'em.' 

"  'So  I  am,'  says  he. 

"  '  Why,'  says  I,  '  ain't  amptate  a  kind  of  poul- 
tice?' 

"Well,  if  dat  are  Dutch  doctor  didn't  laugh  ! 
Howsever,  he  cut  'em  bofe  off,  and  I  larnt  what 
'amptate'  meant,  without  a  dictionary." 

"Steward!" 

"Good  gracious,  dare's  the  old  man  hollerin' 
arter  me  !"  and  David  hobbled  down  the  compa- 
nion way  on  his  eight  toes,  faster  than  you  or  I 
would  have  done  on  ten. 

If  my  readers  have  never  been  passengers,  let 
me  tell  them  that  they  will  always  find  them- 
selves more  comfortable  by  keeping  on  the  right 
side  of  this  important  personage,  who,  though 
he  seldom  dares  to  be  impudent,  is  often  sulky, 
and  performs  services  Negligently  for  those  who 
happen  to'  fall  under  the  ban  of  his  displeasure. 
I  have  seen  such  unfortunate  individuals  with 


184  DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE    STEWARD. 


their  hands  in  the  suds,  minus  a  towel,  singing 
out,  "Steward!!"  to  the  peril  of  their  lungs, 
while  the  darkey  was  on  deck,  leisurely  clean- 
ing boots  for  his  favourites,  and  muttering  to 
himself,  "  Holler  way  dare — do  your  troat  good !" 
Now  as  I  happened  to  be  a  passenger,  I  was  na- 
turally desirous  of  having  all  the  comforts  that 
situation  is  capable  of;  for  at  best  it  is  often  a 
miserable  one.  The  cook  is  a  happier  man  than 
a  passenger  on  a  long  voyage,  especially  if  the 
latter  chance  to  be  a  seaman.  One  has  little  to 
interest  himself  about.  Books  are  overhauled 
and  laid  aside ;  meals  eaten,  and,  for  want  of 
exercise,  with  difficulty  digested ;  for,  when  you 
walk  the  deck,  you  are  sure  to  be  in  some  one's 
way;  if  you  catch  hold  of  the  weather  main 
brace  to  benefit  your  muscles,  it  is  insinuated 
that  there  are  enough  to  work  ship  without  you; 
and  if  you  chance  to  look  aloft,  the  captain  looks 
thunder  clouds,  as  if  he  thought  that  you  were 
criticising  the  trim  of  the  sails.  Oh,  that  was  a 
long  tedious  passage  ! 

However,  as  I  was  remarking,  having  a  de- 
sire to  be  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  would 
permit,  I  speedily  insinuated  myself  into  the 
good  graces  of  the  steward,  by  means  of  old 
shirts  and  trowsers.  tobacco  and  cigars,  and  kind 
words  ;  but  this  enviable  position  was  attended 
with  this  slight  inconvenience,  that  all  the  griefs 
which  swelled  his  gentle  bosom,  found  vent  in 


DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE    STEWARD.  185 

my  ears.  Many  were  the  mournful  tales  I  was 
compelled  to  listen  to.  unable  to  afford  relief,  es- 
pecially when  they  concerned  the  "  old  man," 
who  often  amused  himself  with  banging  the 
steward's  head  against  a  bulk-head,  to  the  im- 
inent  danger  of  the  latter  head.  The  only 
tittle  of  consolation  I  could  give  him  for  this 
frequent  cause  of  complaint,  was  advice  to  be 
thankful  that  his  shins  escaped  uninjured. 

The  other  passenger  was  a  young  gentleman, 
who,  perhaps,  from  neglecting  such  sage  advice 
as  I  have  been  giving,  enjoyed  but  little  of 
David's  good  will,  and  received  no  more  at- 
tention and  service  from  him  than  he  was  ab- 
solutely obliged  to  render.  His  clothes  were 
never  brushed,  his  state-room  left  in  disorder 
till  night,  and  sundry  other  negligences  he  ex- 
perienced, all  which  he  bore  as  best  he  could, 
until  a  sudden  revolution  took  place,  after  this 
wise. 

I  was  taking  my  accustomed  walk  after 
breakfast,  one  fine  Saturday  morning,  and  had 
just  turned  aft  towards  the  companion-way,  when 
out  rushed  David  therefrom,  with  bristling  wool, 
and  a  most  demoniac  expression  of  countenance, 
jumping  on  deck,  the  image  of  rage  and  ugli- 
ness combined. 

"Hallo!"  I  exclaimed,  "what  now?  you  look 
like  a  scared  crow,  what's  the  matter?" 

"What-a-matter,  sar?  Oh  gorry,  you  want  to 
know  what-a-matter  ?  Why,  he  'truck  me,  yes, 


186  DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE    STEWARD. 

sar,  dat  are  young  man  'truck  me!"  And 
David's  fury  was  ungovernable. 

"  I'll  tear  out  a  liver  !  I'll  pull  out  a  gizzard  ! 
I'll  hab  his  heart's  blood !  "  All  which  exclama- 
tions were  accompanied  with  such  antic  gestures 
as  put  the  mate  into  a  choking  fit  of  laughter, 
and  would  have  operated  upon  me  likewise,  had 
not  an  idea  of  further  sport  taken  possession  of 
my  brain. 

" This  is  no  laughing  matter,"  said  I ;  "why, 
Mr.  Pintle,  I  am  astonished  at  you ;  and  David, 
I  am  really  sorry  for  you,  for  it  was  really  an 
outrageous  insult ;  and  if,  as  you  say.  you  think 
the  stain  upon  your  honour  can  only  be  wiped 
out  with  blood,  my  pistols  are  at  your  service. 
However,  I  have  no  idea  that  Mr.  Johnson  will 
fight.  A  pistol  will  frighten  him." 

"I'll  fight  him,"  replied  David;  "  yes,  sar,  he 
shall  fight;  if  he  don't,  eb'ry  body  call  him 
coward;  dat  fix  him,  any  way.  I  b'lievehefaid, 
too." 

"Well  then,"  said  I,  "you  must  challenge  him, 
that's  all.  Now  go  to  the  galley  and  get  me  a 
coal  of  fire." 

While  David  went  on  this  errand,  I  stepped 
below  and  spoke  with  Mr.  Johnson. 

Erelong  that  gentleman cameleisurely on  deck, 
and  walking  to  leeward,  looked  over  the  side 
apparently  in  a  contemplative  mood.  The  op- 
portunity of  giving  the  challenge  " in  propria  per- 
sona "  was  not  lost  upon  David,  who  presented 


DAVID   WILLIAMS,    THE  STEWARD.  187 

himself  before  his  victim  with  all  the  dignity  of  a 
Congo  Senator,  prefacing  and  accompanying  his 
speech  with  a  look  calculated  to  intimidate  a 
Napoleon,  and  with  which  he  expected  to  over- 
whelm his  antagonist  in  the  twinkling  of  a  bed- 
post— 

"Misser  Johnson,"  said  he,  "  you  Ve  suited 
me,  you  've  put  a  inveterate  stain  on  my  dis- 
honour that's  only  gwoin  to  be  sterminated  with 
blood  !  Pistols  is  destinationed  to  be  the  arbitra- 
tioners,  and  you  will  please  desinate  the  time!" 

Mr.  Johnson  was  not  annihilated,  nor  did  he 
even  faint.  On  the  contrary,  David's  surprise 
can  scarcely  be  imagined  at  his  unblanched 
cheek  and  sharp  reply. 

"  If  it  was  not  to  chastise  your  impudence,  I'd 
not  condescend  to  meet  you,  but  you  shall  have 
your  wish.  Let  the  meeting  be  upon  the  main 
deck  this  afternoon  at  three  o'clock,  after  the  cap- 
tain has  turned  in..  Mr.  Ringbolt  and  Mr.  Pintle, 
I  presume,  will  act  as  seconds;"  and  he  coolly 
walked  away,  leaving  David  too  much  astonish- 
ed to  utter  a  word.  The  unexpected  courage 
of  Mr.  Johnson,  when  he  had  anticipated  the 
triumph  of  calling  him  a  coward,  had  entirely 
disconcerted  the  steward,  and  made  him  what 
he  would  fain  have  called  his  adversary. 

"Look  here,  sar,"  said  he,  as  soon  as  Mr. 
Johnson  had  disappeared;  "look  here!  dat  are 
young  man  gwoin  to  fight !  Who'd  tot  o'  dat !" 

"Why,    to    be    sure,"    replied   Mr.    Pintle; 


188  DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE    STEWARD. 

"  you  asked  him,  didn't  you?  Now  you'll  have 
to  fight,  unless  you  can  buy  off,  and  be  called  a 
coward." 

"Me  buy  off!  Me  coward?  I'se  not  that 
chap,  no  way !  No,  sar.  Only,  good  gracious, 
Mr.  Ringbolt,  to  be  sent  out  of  this  sublunar 
hemisphere  in  such  a  stemporaneous  way  makes 
me  kind  o' — kind  o' " 

"Oh.  nonsense,"  said  I ;  "I  don't  think  that 
Mr.  Johnson  will  come  to  the  pinch.  You  had 
better  see  him  again." 

David  was  not  long  in  following  this  advice. 

"Mr.  Johnson,"  he  said,  "I  didn't  prexactly 
'scriminate  what  you  said  a  little  while  gone. 
You  mean  to  say,  you  rather  'pologize  ?" 

"Apologize  !     No,  I  mean  to  fight  you." 

"Now,  Mr.  Johnson,"  (and  he  put  on  an  air 
of  commiseration,)  "I  really  don't  want  your 
blood.  I  am  very  sevagerous  with  a  pistol. 
I've  killed  a  fly,  five  fathom  oif — so  you  better 
Apologize." 

"Apologize!  I  tell  you,  I  won't  apologize  to 
a  darkey!  ha!  ha!  ha!  !" 

"Well,  just  say  you're  sorry" 

"  But  I  am  not  in  the  least  sorry." 

"Well,  then,  just  say  you  'truck  me  kind  o7 
accidental.  Say  somefing  so  as  save  your  life." 

"You  miserable  black  rascal!"  exclaimed 
Johnson;  "I  see  just  how  it  is.  You  are  a 
sneaking  coward.  You've  asked  me  to  fight; 


DAVID   WILLIAMS,    THE   STEWARD.  189 

and  yon  shall  fight.  If  you  don't,  I'll  heave  you 
overboard  on  the  first  dark  night." 

This  was  a  settler.  Whatever  latent  courage 
there  was  in  David's  bosom,  seemed  to  spread 
over  all  his  anatomy,  as  he  muttered — "  That's 
an  insinuation  you'll  be  impenitent  for,  sar,  dis 
affernoon  at  tree  o'clock  !" 

A  wild  and  inexplicable  look  hung  about  Da- 
vid's countenance  that  day.  He  made  several 
mistakes  as  to  his  dinner,  putting  salt  water  into 
his  soup — under-boiling  his  salt  fish,  and  burn- 
ing his  pancakes — all  which  called  down  the 
maledictions  of  the  "old  man,"  who  threw  a 
plate  at  his  head,  and  then  cursed  him  for  break- 
ing it,  and  finally  charged  it  to  his  account. 

"  Cook,"  said  the  steward,  after  dinner  was 
over  and  the  two  coloured  gentlemen  were  seat- 
ed on  the  spars,  near  the  galley,  washing  their 
dishes,  "Cook,  I  feels  a  little  discotnboberated, 
but  I'm  not  gwoin  to  be  'timidated.  Dis  here 
may  be  the  last  time  me  and  you  sets  here  occu- 
pied in  our  profession.  If  I  falls  in  dis  oncoun- 
ter,  you'll  git  promoted.  Now  mine  what  I  tell 
you  :  when  you  gits  to  be  'teward,  jus  you  trow 
your  dignity  overboard.  Dignity,  Cook,  digni- 
ty's what  got  my  life  in  joppaday  now.  If  pas- 
senger 'trikes  you,  jus  you  turn  round  and  tell 
'em  to  'trike  the  todder  side  too.  Howseber,  dis 
afTernoon  you'll  see  me  act  like  gemman,  lib  or 
die,  and  now  let's  wash  up  clean." 

As  was  his  wont.  Capt.  Westerly  turned  in 


190  DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE   STEWARD. 

for  a  snooze  after  dinner.  The  watch  on  deck 
were  all  occupied  in  the  usual  "  soger  "  employ- 
ment of  Saturday  afternoons — cleaning  muskets, 
— all  eager  to  see  the  sport,  of  which  they  had 
an  inkling.  Mr.  Johnson  and  the  steward  ap- 
peared at  the  capstan  at  the  appointed  hour, 
when  the  former  proposed  to  the  latter  a  choice 
of  seconds,  leaving  him  to  choose  Mr.  Pintle  or 
myself.  The  honour  of  being  David  Williams' 
second  was  mine. 

The  pistols  were  produced.  Before  loading, 
Mr.  Johnson  offered  David  also  a  choice  of  wea- 
pons. After  trying  the  locks  of  each,  and  upon 
due  consultation  with  his  second,  he  selected  the 
one  which  seemed  to  throw  the  most  fire ;  and 
now  his  antagonist,  wishing  to  be  above-board  in 
everything,  allowed  him  to  select  one  of  two 
bullets. 

It  devolved  upon  me  to  load  the  weapons, 
which  I  did  first  for  Mr.  Johnson,  slowly  and 
surely,  first,  powder;  second,  wad;  third,  bullet; 
(at  which  the  steward  shuddered,  and  turned  as 
nearly  pale  as  a  darkey  conveniently  could)  and 
then  a  slight  wad  over  all,  and  finally  primed 
the  pan.  "  Is  that  pistol  loaded  fairly  ?"  said 
Mr.  Pintle  to  his  principal. 

"  Ya — yas,  sar,"  faltered  David. 

"  Now  then  for  yours,"  said  I.  "  So,  you  see, 
here  goes  the  powder."  "Yas,  sar."  "Now 
the  wad."  "Yas,  sar."  "Now  the  ball."  "Yas, 
sar."  "  And  now  the  last  wad." 


DAVID   WILLIAMS,    THE    STEWARD.  191 

"Oh,  lorry  gorry,  Misser  Pintle,  don't  tep  on 
my  toe  what's  cut  off !  "  (While  he  turned  thus 
to  express  himself,  his  bullet  rolled  down  my 
jacket  sleeve.) 

"  Come,  come,  what's  the  odds,"  exclaimed  I, 
impatiently,  "what  difference  does  it  make  about 
your  toe?  You'll  be  going  after  it,  perhaps,  di- 
rectly. Now  attend  to  more  important  business. 
I  was  just  ramming  down  the  last  wad  in  your 
pistol.  See  here,  now  it's  primed.  Are  you  sat- 
isfied, Mr.  Pintle,  that  your  principal's  pistol  is 
fairly  loaded?" 

"  Perfectly,  sir,"  replied  Mr.  Pintle,  "and  he 
is  now  ready  to  take  his  station." 

Reader,  imagine  this  devotee  of  honour  mount- 
ed on  one  gun,  facing  his  antagonist,  who  stood 
on  the  other,  at  the  short  distance  of  twenty-five 
feet,  and  who  was  pointing  the  muzzle  of  a  load- 
ed horse-pistol  at  his  face ! 

He  had  screwed  his  courage  up  to  the  sticking 
point,  but  his  pistol-hand  trembled  so  that  his 
weapon  would  not  have  been  very  dangerous, 
even  if  the  ball  had  been  in  it,  instead  of  in  my 
pocket;  and  his  bones  fairly  rattled,  while  the 
expression  of  his  countenance  was  like  that  of  a 
galvanized  mummy. 

All  tittering  was  suppressed,  and  every  one 
looked  on  with  an  appearance  of  awe. 

"  Will  you  pol — pol — igize  now,  Misser  John- 
son?" stammered  the  steward. 

"  No  !  I5] I  rather  blow  your  brains  out." 


192  DAVID   WILLIAMS,    THE   STEWARD. 

"Well,  then,  sar,  Vll  'poligize  to  you?  said 
David,  fairly  overcome. 

"  Too  late  for  that  now.  Don't  disgrace  your- 
self by  being  called  a  coward,"  said  his  second. 
"  Aim  steady,  you'll  hit  him.  Now  !  I'll  go  on 
to  give  the  word.  All  ready.  Well — one — two 
—three— Fire  !" 

Simultaneously  went  off  both  pistols,  Johnson's 
ball  of  course  over  the  mark ;  while  the  steward 
made  a  leap  from  the  gun  for  the  main  hatch, 
where  he  alighted  on  all  fours,  exclaiming, 
"  Good  lorry  gorry  !  am  I  killed? — Oh,  I'm 
dead !  "  but  instantly  jumping  up,  ran  to  Mr. 
Johnson,  assuring  him  that  he  was  perfectly  sat- 
isfied, and  "the  stain  on  his  dishonour  was  ster- 
minated." 

The  report  of  the  pistols,  and  the  noise  and 
laughter  which  ensued,  brought  Capt.  Westerly, 
half  naked,  on  deck ;  which  circumstance  having 
been  anticipated,  all  hands  had  resumed  their 
occupations,  excepting  David,  who  had  just  be- 
gun to  find  himself  alive,  and  stood  pistol  in  hand, 
spell-bound,  by  this  new  cause  of  terror. 

"What's  all  this  noise  about,"  roared  the  old 
man,  "and  what'sthat  thunder-cloud  doing  there 
in  the  waist?" 

"Oh, nothing  sir,  "said  I,  "only  the  steward  took 
a  fancy  to  discharge  one  of  my  pistols,  which 
went  off  so  unexpectedly  as  to  frighten  him,  as 
you  see." 

In  consequence  of  this  explanation,  the  steward 


DAVID    WILLIAMS,    THE    STEWARD.  193 

escaped  the  full  measure  of  wrath,  being  only 
ordered  about  his  business,  receiving  but  one 
kick,  as  a  hint  to  do  so  speedily. 

Thus  resulted  David  William's  duel.  He  still 
lives  in  ignorance  of  the  abstraction  of  his  bul- 
let, and  maintains  that  "de  whiz  of  Misser  John- 
son's bullet"  was  what  knocked  him  down.  He 
expressed  himself  to  the  cook  as  pretty  well  sat- 
isfied with  his  opponent's  apology  and  acknow- 
ledgment of  his  superiority,  though  he  would 
have  insisted  on  another  shot  if  ude  ole  man 
hadn't  woke  up;"  while  his  attention  and  obedi- 
ence to  Mr.  Johnson  for  the  remainder  of  the 
passage,  evinced  that  this  communication  to  the 
cook  was  strictly  confidential. 


A  BARGAIN'S  A  BARGAIN- 


THE  comfort  of  every  voyage,  depends  very 
much  upon  having  a  good  crew.  As  to  pas- 
sengers, I  have  always  thought  that  the  com- 
mon system  of  charging  them,  good,  bad  and  in- 
different, per  capita,  is  a  very  wrong  one,  inas- 
much as  it  is  worth  a  vast  deal  more  to  transport 
some  individuals  than  it  is  to  transport  others 
across  the  Atlantic.  They  should  pay  according 
to  their  sombre  countenances  or  their  cheerful 
looks  ;  the  former  paying  a  round  sum  for  their 
accommodations,  and  the  latter  going  for  nothing, 
rather  than  being  left  at  home.  A  good  crew 
and  pleasant  passengers,  therefore,  are  important 
items,  but  one  of  very  great  consideration  to 
such  as  regard  the  welfare  of  their  stomachs, 
(and  who  amongst  us  does  not  ?)  is  a  good  cook ; 
while  a  bad  cook  is  unquestionably  the  most  use- 
less lumber  on  board  of  a  ship. 

I  sailed  in  February,  1843,  for  Havana,  with 
a  crew  shipped  as  is  customary,  by  a  shipping- 
master,  but  taking  the  usual  precaution  of  seeing 


195 

and  questioning  all  of  them  before  they  signed 
the  articles. 

"Cook,"  said  I,  to  the  darkey,  who  applied  for 
that  berth,  "do  you  consider  yourself  'A.  1.' 
in  your  profession?" 

"Yes,  sar,  I  does." 

"  Well,  for  a  man  dressed  in  go-ashore  togs, 
you  don't  appear  to  be  the  cleanest  mortal  that 
ever  was.  If  you  are  not  cleaner  in  your  galley, 
we  shall  quarrel." 

"Oh  !  de  fack  is.  sar,  I  hasn't  got  on  my  best 
clothes  to-day,  and  I've  been  overhauling  de 
camboose  dare— and — 

"  Ship  him,  Mr.  Sawyer,"  said  I,  impatiently, 
"he  is  probably  as  good  as  any  that  have  ap- 
plied." 

We  sailed  the  next  day.  and  every  thing  went 
on  as  usual,  cl  earing  p  the  decks,  relashing 
spars  and  water-casks,  and  then  reefing  and  furl- 
ing, as  the  weather  soon  obliged  us  to  do,  while 
the  snow  fell  thick  and  fast,  and  the  sea  broke 
over  us,  washing  every  loose  thing  about  and 
overboard.  Why,  we  could  not  expect  much 
of  a  dinner  on  the  following  day;  still,  as  the 
roast  beef  made  its  appearance,  I  suggested  to 
the  steward  the  propriety  of  scraping  off  the  out- 
side :  but  he  assured  me  that  it  came  so  from  the 
galley;  he  ';  hadn't  dropped  it  on  the  way,  and 
it  must  be  clean." 

"  Well,  what  else  have  you  got]" 

"Pudding,  sir,"  replied  the  steward,  as  he  de- 
posited something  upon  the  table. 


196  A  BARGAIN'S  A  BARGAIN. 

"  Pudding !  what  kind  of  a  pudding  d'ye  call 
that?  You've  been  with  me  two  years,  now, 
and  never  produced  such  an  article  as  that  be- 
fore." It  had  more  colours  than  a  rainbow  and 
a  thunder  cloud  combined,  though  the  colour  of 
the  latter  predominated. 

"  Just  as  I  got  it  from  the  galley,  sir." 

"Help  yourself,  Mr.  Garnet,"  said  I,  "I've 
done." 

"  No,  thank  you,  sir,"  said  the  mate,  "I've 
done  too." 

"  Call  the  second  mate  and  carpenter,  steward, 
to  their  dinner"  said  I,  as  we  rushed  upon  deck, 
where  stood  one  of  the  crew,  who  had  been 
waiting  patiently,  though  not  for  a  very  long 
time,  for  us  to  accomplish  our  meal.  He  held 
in  his  hand  a  kid,  and  civilly  requested  me  to  ex- 
amine the  contents.  Now,  I  had  not  been  sea- 
sick since  I  was  a  boy,  but  it  might  have  been 
the  motion  of  the  ship,  at  this  time,  or  possibly 
the  sight  of  that  kid — at  any  rate  I  felt  sick — 
very  sick  ! 

The  cook  was  called  aft,  and  notwithstanding 
his  various  excuses,  reprimanded  sharply,  and 
promised  something  additional,  in  case  he 
did  not  amend.  But  alas!  he  did  not;  for  the 
next  day's  dinner,  fore  and  aft,  beggared  descrip- 
tion ;  but  willing  to  resort  to  mild  means  at  first, 
he  was  merely  obliged  to  swallow  a  great  part 
of  his  own  dirty  concoction,  which  he  did  without 
any  compunctions  of  stomach  or  of  conscience 


A  BARGAIN  JS  A    BARGAIN.  197 

— hardened  villain  that  he  was  !  Still  another 
day — and  so  far  from  improvement,  he  seemed 
to  grow  still  worse.  Now  he  was  introduced 
to  the  lee  scuppers,  and  copiously  drenched  with 
water,  while  deck  brooms  were  freely  used  upon 
him,  to  cleanse  at  all  events,  his  greasy  person. 
But  did  all  this  have  any  effect  upon  the  mor- 
row's dinner  ?  Oh  no  !  no  !  for  upon  that  day 
every  appetite  in  the  ship  was  ruined,  and  those 
whose  duty  called  them  to  pass  the  galley,  gave 
it  a  wide  berth  for  fear  of  infection. 

The  final  remedy  was  at  last  resorted  to — a  me- 
dicine no  one  likes  to  take,  and  one  which  no  one 
should  administer  excepting  in  the  most  obstinate 
cases — but  even  this  failed,  and  he  was  pronoun- 
ced incurable — disease,  chronic  filthiness — Othel- 
lo's occupation  was  gone,  and  he  was  thence- 
forward knocked  about  the  decks,  receiving  more 
kicks  than  coppers,  while  the  steward  did  the 
cook's  duty  as  well  as  his  own.  Our  appetites 
again  revived,  and  when  we  entered  Havana,  we 
were  all  in  a  state  of  convalescence. 

"Now,"  thought  I,  "  what  shall  be  done  with 
this  fellow  ?  Shall  I  carry  his  useless  carcase  the 
voyage  round  1  Indeed  I  will  not — even  if  it  be 
necessary  to  pay  his  passage  home,  he  shall  go 
no  farther."  With  the  fixed  resolution  to  dispose 
of  him  in  some  way,  and  even  with  the  wicked 
thoughts  stealing  into  my  mind  of  selling  him, 
(which  however  conscience  overcame  when  I  re- 
flected upon  how  his  purchaser  would  be  cheat- 


198  A  BARGAIN'S  A  BARGAIN. 

ed,)  I  gave  general  notice  that  I  was  ready  to 
transfer  him  to  any  one  who  might  need  a  cook. 
Even  then,  conscience  troubled  me,  but  I  deter- 
mined to  smother  its  reproaches. 

I  was  seated  one  evening  at  the  fountain  on  the 
Quay,  enjoying  my  cigar  in  company  with  a  few 
friends,  when  we  were  approached  by  a  lengthy 
individual,  whose  legs  were  inadvertently  shoved 
too  far  through  his  pantaloons,  thus  giving 
a  very  fine  opportunity  to  display  the  blue  wool- 
len socks  that  encased  his  shins.  He  wore  a 
venerable  olive  colored  surtout,  perhaps  claiming 
the  designation  of  frock  coat.  Two  very  prom- 
inent pieces  of  linen  rose  at  angles  of  forty-five 
degrees  above  a  rusty  neck-cloth,  and  to  cap  or 
rather  hat  the  climax,  his  shaggy  locks  were 
surmounted  by  a  beaver  of  by-gone  ages.  Mak- 
ing a  desperate  pull  at  the  rim  of  this  helmet,  he 
asked,  "  Gten'lemen,  neither  on  ye  ain't  the 
cap'n  of  the  *  Agnes '  be  ye?" 

It  being  somewhat  doubtful  as  to  the  number 
of  negatives  requisite  to  make  an  affirmative  to 
this  singular  interrogatory,  I  hesitated,  but  was 
soon  relieved  from  suspense  by  his  saying,  "Well, 
I  guess  it's  you  that  was  pointed  out  to  me  just 
now." 

"  Yes,  sir,  I  am  the  person  you  are  looking 
for." 

"I  heer'd  you'd  got  a  nigger  you  wanted  to 
get  rid  on,  and — " 


199 

"  Won't  you  sit  down,  sir?"  said  I,  delighted 
beyond  measure. 

"  Thank  ye,  no — can't  stop  now — but  as  to 
that  nigger,  what's  the  reason  you  want  to  git 
rid  on  him  ?" 

Now  this  was  a  hard  question,  but  honesty 
being  the  best  policy,  I  replied  accordingly, 
"  Because  he  is  dirty,"  and  was  extremely  re- 
lieved when  he  asked,  "  Nothin'  else  ?"  "No, 
sir,"  said  I,  "nothing  whatever;  he  is  strong, 
healthy,  and  civilly  behaved." 

"  Now  is  he  right  down  civil,  though  ?" 

"Perfectly  so." 

"Well  then,  I'll  take  him,  if  you'll  swop  !" 

"Agreed." 

"What!  unsight,  unseen?  Howsever  you 
can't  get  off;  you've  said  it,  and  these  here  folks 
is  witness.  A  bargain's  a  bargain  !  But  then 
I'll  do  as  some  of  our  conscientious  folks 
down  east  do,  (tho'  they  don't  always)  after 
they've  sold  the  ship  that  they  cracked  up  c  A. 
I.,'  they'll  tell  ye,  (and  if  they  don't,  you'll  soon 
find  out,)  she  wants  building  all  over  again  !" 

"Yes,"  said  I,  "I  know  that  they  generally 
require  some  slight  repairs  of  that  sort,  and  they 
must  be  built  over  again  several  times  in  the 
region  where  they  were  first  l  sawed  off,"  before 
they  are  of  much  value." 

"  Now  don't  go  to  'busing  our  ships — I  tell  ye 
we  can  build  better  ones  there  than  in.Medford. 
Sartin,  it  stands  to  reason  we  do;  if  we  couldn't. 


200 

how  comes  it  we  build  'em  so  cheap  ?  They'll 
ask  you  $45  or  $47  a  ton  for  hull,  spars  and  iron 
work  in  Medford,  and  more  too  in  New- York, 
where  they  rub  'em  down  with  sand  paper,  and 
putty  up  the  seams.  And  we'll  knock  'em  off 
for  $ 30  a  ton  any  day,  and  less  money.  But  as 
to  that  nigger  of  mine,  I  '11  just  tell  you,  (now 
mind,  you  've  agreed  to  take  him,'  or  forfeit  a 
hogshead  o'  lasses  if  you  don't) — he's  sarcy ! 
there,  no  flinching  now." 

"Oh  well,"  said  I,  "that's  nothing  at  all— 
that  complaint  is  easily  cured ;  but  you  under- 
stand that  the  one  you  have  agreed  to  take  is 
dirty •?" 

"Yes,  but  not  sarcy?  honour  bright,  hey? 
Well,  I  don't  mind  a  little  mite  o'  dirt,  but  as  to 
bein'  spoke  to  the  way  I  be  by  that  air  feller  I '  ve 
got,  I  can't  stand  it  no  longer ;  he  don't  have  no 
respect  to  me  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman,  not 
a  bit !  Well,  we  've  swopped,  haven't  we?" 

"Most  certainly;  by  the  bye,  which  is  your 
vessel?" 

"  There  she  lays  over  in  the  lumber  tier,"  said 
he,  pointing  to  an  old  box,  whose  masts  and 
yards  were  looking  about  in  all  directions,  as  if 
afraid  of  each  other,  but  which  was  evidently 
intended  to  have  been  a  brig,  "  The  *  Virgil  Del- 
phini  Paris,'  and  my  name  's  Snubson." 

"  Captain  Snubson,"  said  1,  "  I'm  happy  to 
have  made  your  acquaintance ;  you  and  I  must 
take  these  fellows  ashore  to  the  consul  to-mor- 


201 

row,  and  pay  their  wages,  discharge  and  ship 
them,  &c.,  you  know.  I'll  come  on  board  the 
'Virgil  Delphini  Paris'  at  nine  o'clock,  to- 
morrow morning,  if  agreeable  to  you." 

"Very  well,"  he  rejoined,  "so  be  it;  good 
night!" — and  away  he  went  down  the  quay, 
smiling,  chuckling,  and  snapping  his  fingers 
with  infinite  delight.  Yes,  there  were  two  hap- 
py men  that  night  in  Havana — happy  in  per- 
spective ;  wherein,  after  all,  most  happiness 
consists. 

If  I  was  never  punctual  before,  I  was  upon 
the  next  morning,  standing  on  the  deck  of  the 
"  Virgil  Delphini  Paris,"  at  nine  o'clock  pre- 
cisely. 

"  Walk  down  here,"  cried  Captain  Snubson  ; 
and,  descending,  I  found  that  gentleman  seated 
on  the  transom  somewhat  in  dishabille,  taking 
the  grass  from  off  his  bows  by  the  reflection  of 
a  paper  looking-glass,  "  I'll  be  ready  directly," 
added  he,  which  he  soon  was,  having  quickly 
despatched  that  part  of  his  toilet,  and  drawn  on 
his  woollen  socks. 

"Cook,"  said  he,  "you  might  as  well  have 
greased  my  shoes,  mightn't  yer?  I  should  think 
you  might;  however,  I  suppose  you  was  busy." 

"  I  ship'd  for  cook  and  teward — didn't  ship 
for  boot-black,"  replied  my  future  cook. 

"  Well,  git  up  along  on  deck,  then.  Just  see 
what  a  dreadful  sarcy  creeter  he  is  !"  added  he, 
turning  to  me. 


202  A    BARGAIN  's   A    BARGAIN. 

The  usarcy  creeter"  not  making  any  demon- 
strations of  obedience,  the  captain  added,  "or 
stay  below,  if  you're  a  mind  to.  Now  you  and 
I,  cook,  can't  set  hosses  together  no  way.  and 
this  man  says  he'll  take  you,  if  you'll  quit. 
What  say,  will  you  go?" 

"Yes!" 

By  this  time,  the  captain,  having  finished 
dressing,  and  politely  offered  the  refreshment 
of  "switchel,"  a  liquor  composed  of  new  rum, 
molasses,  ginger,  and  water,)  which  was  as  po- 
litely declined,  we,  that  is,  Captain  Snubson, 
Captain  Ringbolt,  and  the  respective  cooks  of 
the  "  Virgil  Delphim  Paris,"  and  "Agnes,"  pull- 
ed by  four  very  willing  men  of  the  latter  ship, 
left  the  brig  for  the  shore ;  and,  landing,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  office  of  the  consul,  where  the 
transfer  was  made,  legally  and  satisfactorily  to 
all  parties ;  and  I  went  on  board  with  the  new 
cook,  greeted  by  the  pleased  and  smiling  faces 
of  my  crew. 

I  saw  no  more  of  Capt.  Snubson  in  Havana, 
and  sailed  in  a  few  days  for  Matanzas,  there  to 
complete  my  cargo.  In  the  meantime,  every- 
thing went  on  like  clock-work  at  the  galley,  and 
great  was  the  joy  we  all  felt  and  expressed  at 
the  exchange  ! 

"Look  here,  sir,"  cried  the  mate,  one  morn- 
ing early,  "  if  here  isn't  that  Latin  and  French 
down-east  brig,  in  shore  !  " 

There  she  was,  indeed ;  and  sure  enough  there 


A    BARGAIN  's    A    BARGAIN.  203 

was  a  small  boat,  pulled  by  one  man,  approach- 
ing us  from  her.  Taking  the  glass,  I  could 
plainly  make  him  out  to  be  Captain  Snubson 
himself. 

"  Do  you  think  he's  coming  here?"  asked  Mr. 
Garnet,  in  a  faltering  tone. 

"  Yes,  but  don't  be  alarmed,  I  shall  hold  him 
to  his  bargain." 

In  a  few  moments  the  dingy  was  alongside, 
and  the  captain,  throwing  his  painter  on  deck, 
climbed  up  the  ladder. 

"Good  morning,  sir,"  said  I,  "  I  didn't  expect 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here  ! " 

"Well,  nor  I  didn't  expect  to  see  you.  I 
thought  you'd  gone  to  Rooshee." 

"  Oh  no,  not  yet,  but  how  are  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  tolerable,  except  I've  got  a  kind  of 
rising  and  squeamishness  about  my  stomach." 

uAy,  the  dyspepsia,"  said  I,  "  I  know  what 
it  is.  I  was  troubled  with  it  once.  You've  had 
it,  Mr.  Garnet,  haven't  you?" 

"  Yes,  sir,   once" 

Captain  Snubson  was  evidently  not  the  man 
he  was  when  he  walked  so  gaily  away  from  the 
fountain  in  Havana.  He  had  not  then  the  hag- 
gard look  which  he  now  exhibited ;  how  wan  and 
dejected  he  appeared !  but  his  shoes  were  greas- 
ed, and  what  was  more,  he  seemed  to  be  greased 
all  over  ! 

"Well,  what  kind*f  a  passage  did  you  have 
round?"  inquired  he. 


204 

"  Very  good;  we  left  in  the  morning,  and  ar- 
rived here  next  morning." 

"You  did?  Why,  you  beat  me  all  holler.  I 
was  two  days. 

"Come,"  said  I,  "have  you  breakfasted? 
We  are  just  sitting  down." 

"No — yes — not  exactly,  either.  I  don't  mind 
taking  a  mouthful." 

"Do — that's  right.  Steward,  another  plate 
and  chair  !" 

c'  Capt.  Snubson  cast  his  eyes  over  our  clean 
and  well-provided  board,  and  looked  melancho- 
ly; but  he  fulfilled  .his  promise  of  taking  a 
mouthful ;  indeed  he  took  several — quite  a  num- 
ber of  mouthfuls ;  so  many  that  the  constant  re- 
ception of  food  prevented  any  egress  of  words. 
Having  at  length  finished  his  rneal,  he  wiped 
his  mouth  with  the  table-cloth,  and  observed : 
"Lasses  has  riz  !" 

"Yes?" 

"Fact!  I  come  round  here  expecting  to  do 
better  than  in  Havana,  but  I'm  disappointed." 

"I'm  very  sorry  to  hear  it;  perhaps  the  price 
will  be  lower,  if  you  wait  long  enough." 

"I  shall  die  if  I  wait  much  longer!"  ex- 
claimed he,  suddenly;  but  checking  himself, 
observed  that  it  was  "  fine  weather,  and  cool  for 
the  season." 

A  full  assent  being  given  to  this,  he  seemed  at 
a  loss  what  to  say  next,  though  he  evidently 


A  BARGAIN'S  A  BARGAIN.  205 

had  something  important  to  communicate  when 
a  good  opportunity  should  be  afforded. 

"Be  you  acquainted  here  ashore?" 

" Not  at  all,"  said  I,  "never  having  been  here 
before.  I  know  no  one  but  my  consignee." 

"  Haint  been  here  before?  Where  have  you 
been  ?  Well,  I've  been  here  so  often,  I've  got  to 
know  the  ropes  pretty  well,  and  can  introduce 
you  all  round.  Spos'n  you  go  ashore  long  :a 
me  ?" 

"No,  thank  you;  I  shall  go  by-and-by ; 
much  obliged  for  your  kind  offer  of  introduction, 
but  I'm  not  very  anxious  to  make  acquaintances, 
where  they  will  not  be  continued." 

Capt.  Snubson  now  sat  a  long  while  silently, 
but  at  length  broached  the  subject  near  his  heart. 

"Well,  I  'spose  you're  plagued  to  death  with 
that  sarcy  nigger,  aint  you  ?" 

"Far  from  it;  he  seems  to  be  an  excellent 
cook.  Is  he  ever  insolent,  Mr.  Garnet?" 

"Not  in  the  least,  sir;  a  very  quiet  darkey, 
who  knows  his  place  and  keeps  it." 

"Strange!"  said  Capt.  Snubson,  "aint  it? 
Why,  the  creeter  wouldn't  grease  my  shoes 
when  I  asked  him  to  !" 

"  We  never  ask  him  to  do  anything  here," 
said  the  mate. 

;:  Ah,  well,"  said  the  captain,  "you  aint  had 
him  long  enough  yet.     If  you  was  to  keep  him, 
you'd  soon  find  out.  ^tfe's  nat'rally  sarcy.    Now 
10 


206  A  BARGAIN'S  A  BARGAIN. 

I  don't  like  to  impose  upon  folks,  I'll  take  him 
back  again;  there !" 

"Oh,  no,"  said  I,  "  you  haven't  been  guilty  of 
any  imposition  at  all.  I'm  perfectly  satisfied." 

The  sweat  stood  in  great  drops  on  Capt.  Snub- 
son's  brow. 

"  Ah,  but  you  know,"  said  he,  "  you  see  ;  the 
fact  is,  them  pesky  lawyers  to  hum  makes  so 
much  trouble,  we'll  both  of  us  git  sued  and 
plagued  to  death  if  we  don't  swop  back  again  !" 

"My  dear  sir,"  said  I,  "  take  another  cup  of 
coffee.  I  cannot  think  of  it;  so  don't  mention 
this  subject  again." 

Poor  man  !  he  gave  no  heed  to  my  oifer  of  the 
coffee,  but  only  heard  the  last  words,  which 
sounded  like  his  doom.  At  length  the  blood 
rushed  into  his  face,  and  starting  up,  he  knock- 
ed over  the  table,  exclaiming, 

"  Cap'n,  YOU'VE  CHEATED  ME  !  " 

"Sir  !  "  said  I,  in  some  slight  amazement. 

The  emotion  had  been  too  powerful  for  his 
weakened  stomach.  Anger  gave  place  to  grief, 
and  he  sank  down  again  into  his  chair,  and  the 
tears  and  big  drops  of  perspiration  chasing  each 
other  down  his  cheeks,  he  sobbed, 

"If  I  wasn't  cheated,  then,  what  on  earth 
was  I?" 

"My  dear  friend,"  said  I,  (and  I  did  feel  for 
him,)  "my  dear,  good  friend,  be  calm.  How  can 
you  say  you  were  cheatq^?  Didn't  I  tell  you 
the  fellow  you  took  was  dirty  ?  " 


207 

"  Yes,  yes,"  he  replied,  meekly,  "  you  did  say 
he  was  dirty,  but  (and  here  he  raised  his  voice 
to  the  highest  key)  you  didn't  say  he  was  so 
gaul-darrfd — all-fired — piz  ''nous — everlasting 
dirty!" 

"  Well,  Captain  Snubson,"  said  I,  "  I  sincere- 
ly pity  you,  but  you  have  a  less  distance  to  go 
than  we  have,  and  will  soon  be  in  Portland — 
self-preservation,  moreover,  is  a  law  of  nature ; 
again,  you  sought  me,  not  I  you;  and  finally,  to 
use  your  own  words,  '  a  bargain  's  a  bargain' 
and  I  could  not  release  you  from  this,  even  if 
you  '  forfeited  a  hogshead  of  molasses,'  as  you 
bound  me  to  do ;  no,  not  for  all  the  molasses  on 
board  your  vessel ;  but  as  long  as  we  remain 
here,  make  this  cabin  your  home ;  I  shall  al- 
ways be  happy  to  see  you  at  meals." 


THE   OLD   SAILOR. 


AN  old  sailor  is  a  singular  being ;  not  only 
peculiar,  but  singular ,  in  the  literal  meaning  of 
the  word — alone.  He  has  outlived  his  youthful 
companions — he  has  lost  his  relish  for  every 
thing  calculated  to  make  life  happy.  Novelty 
has  no  more  charms  for  him.  because  to  him 
there  can  be  nothing  new,  and  he  plods  along 
the  downhill  of  life,  too  often  hastening  his  de- 
scent by  seeking  temporary  oblivion  of  his  mis- 
ery in  the  intoxicating  cup. 

Poor  solitary  Jack  Tar  !  you  stand  alone, 
like  the  old  oak  of  the  forest,  but  not  like  the 
tree,  strong  and  vigorous  in  age ;  for  your  de- 
caying trunk  and  weakened  limbs  bend  more 
and  more  to  every  fitful  blast,  until  soon  the 
winds  shall  indeed  pass  over  you,  and  you  are 
gone  ;  not  even  shall  an  humble  tomb-stone  tell 
where  you  lie. 

"  Peace  to  the  ashes  of  the  dead  ?" 
No  peace  to  his,  for  o'er  his  head 
The  ocean's  heaving  billows  roll, 
Their  roar  the  requiem  of  his  soul. 


THE    OLD    SAILOR.  209 

What  matters  this  ?     At  God's  command, 
The  ocean,    as  the  solid  land, 
Shall  bring  its  tenants  forth  to  view. 
Yes,  they  shall  leave  her,  clothed  anew 
In  glorious  bodies,  at  the  day 
When,  at  a  word  are  passed  away 
The  ocean  and  the  firmer  earth, 
By  Him  whose  mandate  gave  them  birth. 

Excuse  this  humble  tribute,  to  the  memory  of 
an  old  shipmate.  But  shall  such  a  destiny  as  I 
have  described  always  await  the  old  sailor? 
No,  God  be  thanked  for  the  benevolent  age  in 
which  we  live,  and  the  exertions  which  are  al- 
ready making  for  seamen.  Contrast  the  present 
time  with  a  few  short  years  by-gone.  The 
spirit  of  love — of  true  philanthropy — is  abroad, 
whicH^  if  not  religion  itself,  is  her  twin  sister 
and  dearest  companion.  Hand  in  hand,  they 
are  traversing  the  civilized  world,  and  shedding 
more  of  their  blessed  influence  upon  our  own 
land  than  upon  any  other  region  of  eartn. 
Fondly  do  we  look  forward  to  the  time  when 
they  shall  complete  the  good  work  already  be- 
gun, and  make  this  desert  world  blossom  like 
the  rose,  and  render  it  once  more  the  paradise 
of  God.  No  one  can  deny  that  the  efforts  now 
making  to  improve  the  moral  and  intellectual 
condition  of  sailors,  have  a  greater  tendency  to 
hasten  that  happy  period  than  almost  any  other 
purpose  that  can  emanate  from  a  benevolent 
heart  :  for  in  vain  shall  the  great  societies  for 
the  diffusion  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  lands. 


210  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

send  forth  their  Bibles  and  Missionaries,  so  long 
as  the  vessels  which  convey  them  are  manned  by 
seamen  whose  evil  example  will  counterbalance 
all  their  good  effects.  Until  very  lately,  no  one 
cared  for  the  sailor's  comfort  of  body  or  for  the 
peace  of  his  soul.  He  was  regarded  as  an  out- 
cast, and  beneath  the  notice  of  his  more  fortu- 
nate fellow-creatures  who  dwell  on  shore.  But 
humanity  has  at  length  been  aroused  in  some 
bosoms,  and  chiefly  in  those  of  such  as  are  al- 
ways first  in  every  good  work.  God  bless  the 
ladies  ! — and  I  am  sure  the  response  will  come 
from  every  sailor's  heart — Gou  BLESS  THE  LA- 
DIES ! 

But  I  have  run  off  my  course.  The  old  sail- 
or— yes,  poor  old  Bill  Merrick — you  were  such 
an  one  as  I  had  begun  to  describe.  Your  hag- 
gard look,  enfeebled  strength,  and  broken  con- 
stitution, were  strong  and  uncalled-for  witnesses 
to  prove  your  claim  to  the  title. 

It  was  a  cold  and  dreary  night  off  the  Cape 
of  Good  Hope,  in  July,  and  the  watch  had  gen- 
erally sought  shelter  under  the  lee  of  the  galley 
and  long-boat,  excepting  old  Bill,  whose  look- 
out it  happened  to  be.  After  endeavouring  in 
vain  to  get  warm  by  means  of  a  p-jacket,  I  jumped 
up,  shivering,  and  volunteered  to  keep  the  look- 
out for  the  old  man,  and  let  him  caiilk,  if  he 
could. 

"  No,  no,  Charley,"  said  he,  (for  he  called  me 


THE   OLD    SAILOR.  211 

by  this  name,)  "lie  down  again,  and  forget  your 
misery.7' 

"  Why,  I'm  not  particularly  miserable,  Bill, 
unless  miserably  cold,"  replied  I,  as  he  turned 
away  from  me;  "I  should  think  you  were, 
though,  for  your  face  has  looked  as  long  as  the 
main- top-bo wlirie  and  jib  downhall  spliced  to- 
gether, for  this  week  or  more.  Well,  if  you 
won't  let  me  keep  the  look-out  for  you,  why 
then  good-bye — only  you're  a  bit  unsociable — 
that's  all." 

I  had  turned  away,  when  the  old  fellow  sud- 
denly stopped  in  his  hurried  walk,  and  said  in 
a  kinder  voice,  "  Charley,  my  boy,  come  here  ; 
you  may  keep  the  look-out  udth  me,  if  you  like, 
and  I  will  tell  you  of  a  greater  misery  than  cold 
or  any  other  pain  you  ever  suffered." 

"  O,  now  for  a  yarn  !"  said  I,  "a  regular 
twister,  I  suppose." 

"  Nothing  of  that  kind,"  said  fre,  seriously. 
"If  you  live  as  long  as  I  have  done,  you  may 
experience  much  misery ;  but  if  you  live  as  I  have 
done,  you'll  have  the  greatest  misery  a  man  can 
have — an  evil  conscience — for  that's  my  yarn. 

"  I  once  had  a  home,  and  a  happy  one,  for  there 
was  everything  to  make  it  so :  kind  and  affection- 
ate parents,  brothers  and  sisters,  and  many 
friends — one  friend,  Charley,  more  dear  than  all. 
'  I  had  received  a  good  education,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty ,  blessed  with  that,  and  with  robust  health, 
and,  above  all,  with  the  love  of  such  a  sweet 


212  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

girl  as  Mary  Morton,  who  was  happier  or  who 
had  fairer  prospects  for  life  than  myself?  But  un- 
fortunately I  had  a  restless  disposition,  and  felt 
an  irresistible  desire  to  see  the  world,  and  could 
not  overcome  a  fancy  for  the  sea.  I  must  take 
one  voyage.  My  father  opposed — my  mother 
and  sisters  begged  me  not  to  leave  my  home. 
And  Mary,  poor  Mary  said — nothing — but  the 
parting  kiss,  the  tears  that  stood  in  her  sweet  eyes, 
and  the  last  look  of  love  she  gave  me  as  I  closed 
the  door  of  her  father's  house  and  saw  her  for 
the  last  time,  were  words  such  as  lips  can  never 
utter. 

"But  I  shall  see  her  again,  boy,"  continued 
the  old  sailor.  "  I  sometimes  think  I  do  see  her. 
I  think  she  is  one  of  those  bright  stars  overhead 
— and  on  such  a  night  as  this,  1  love  to  watch 
them  as  they  break  out  from  the  black  passing 
clouds  like  rays  of  hope  from  the  darkness  of  de- 
spair, to  cheer  us  on  our  lonely  way.  Charley, 
I  do  believe  those  stars  are  angels.  I  can't  help 
worshipping  them  sometimes,  and  then  I  think 
they  glisten  brighter  than  before,  and  are  the 
smiles  of  heaven  upon  my  desolate  soul ! 

"  Well,  I  sought  a  voyage,  caring  little  where 
the  ship  might  be  bound,  so  that  I  might  gratify 
my  darling  desire  to  '  see  the  world ;'  arid  believe 
me,  my  boy,  I  have  seen€t — and  seen  the  vanity 
of  it  too.  My  first  voyage  was  round  Cape  Horn  ; 
and  though  at  first  ship's  duty  came  hard  upon 
rne  as  it  does  upon  us  all,  yet  every  thing  was 


THE    OLD    SAILOR.  213 

so  new  during  that  voyage,  that  this  was  soon 
no  longer  remembered — and  alas !  the  thoughts 
of  my  home  and  friends,  too,  began  to  fade  from 
my  mind.  I  became  a  slave  to  bad  habits,  and 
in  two  short  years,  whatever  good  feelings  my 
heart  might  have  once  possessed,  were  deadened 
or  benumbed;  and  when  I  returned,  I  was  a 
different  being.  I  had  forgotten  my  parents,  my 
brothers  arid  sisters,  and  even  Mary — or  if  ever 
thoughts  of  them  crossed  my  mind,  tljey  were 
chased  away  like  phantoms  that  disturb  our 
dreams,  I  had  rushed  headlong  to  destruction 
and  there  was  no  one  to  stop  my  besotted  career. 

<:Had  there  been  such  institutions  as  there  now 
are,  I  might  have  been  reclaimed — but  then,  every 
one  seemed  willing  to  help  me  on  to  destruction. 
My  dissolute  companions  induced  me  to  frequent 
t  he  resorts  of  infamy.  My  kind  landlord  stupified 
my  senses  with  his  infernal  liquor,  and  a  miser- 
able scoundrel  of  a  lawyer,  with  whom  he  was 
connected  in  trade,  persuaded  me  to  prosecute 
my  captain  for  some  fancied  wrong,  and  thus 
between  them  all  I  was  ruined  outright. 

"  Charley,  don't  you  ever  forget  your  home — 
don't  you  go  inside  of  such  dens  as  I  did — don't 
you  touch  rum — don't  you  trust  the  landlord  who 
offers  it  to  you — arid  don't  you  have  anything  to 
do  with  lawyers.  If^pu  mind -the  first  three 
things,  you'll  keep  \*trr  happiness,  reputation 
and  health — and  if  you  mind  the  two  last,  you'll 
keep  your  money  into  the  bargain.  Rum,  bad 


214  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

women,  landlords  and  lawyers,  have  been  the 
ruin  of  me,  as  they  have  of  many  sailors  besides. 
Yes,  they  are  worse  than  sickness,  shipwrecks, 
scorpions  and  devils !" 

Bill  expressed  himself  strongly;  I  will  not  ask 
"  'long  shore  people"  if  any  too  strongly  ;  but, 
sailors,  I  put  it  to  you. 

"Well,"  continued  the  old  tar,  "I  shipped 
again  ;  or  rather,  I  was  shipped  ;  for  positively  I 
knew  nothing  of  it  until  I  found  myself  at  sea, 
when  I  awoke  as  from  a  trance,  to  the  wretched- 
ness, the  untold  wretchedness  of  my  situation. 
From  the  first  hour  that  I  landed  in  Boston  un- 
til then,  I  could  not  call  my  senses  my  own.  But 
a  few  days  after  leaving  port  they  returned  with 
their  full  strength  and  vigour,  and  showed  me  my 
past  folly  in  a  glaring  light.  My  wages  for  a  two 
years'  voyage  were  gone,  and  also  those  for  the 
first  two  months  of  the  voyage  on  which  I  had  just 
entered,  bound  I  knew  not  where.  But  all  this 
was  nothing;  I  gave  it  scarce  a  moment's 
thought.  My  reputation  was  lost  forever.  Oh, 
the  recollection  of  what  I  suffered  on  that  dread- 
ful day  makes  me  shudder,  even  now,  after  a 
lapse  of  more  than  thirty  years.  The  conscious- 
ness of  my  degraded  situation  overwhelmed  me ; 
the  damning  thought  that  I  had  set  the  seal  of 
ruin  upon  my  own  head,  and  that  I  had  forgot- 
ten the  ties  of  nature  aria  of  love,  came  over  me 
with  a  power  that  threatened  to  drive  me  rnad. 
The  tearful  countenances  of  my  parents  often 


THE    OLD    SAILOR.  215 

appeared  to  my  view ;  and  the  image  of  Mary 
flitted  before  me,  as  it  were,  the  image  of  sorrow ! 
I  have  since  been  in  the  thickness  of  battle, 
wounded  among  the  dying  and  the  dead  ;  have 
lain  among  sufferers  like  myself  from  loathsome 
diseases  in  a  crowded  foreign  hospital;  have  en- 
dured every  hardship  that  falls  to  a  sailor's  lot, 
and  they  are  neither  few  nor  small ;  but  the  day 
on  which  I  suffered  more  than  in  all  other  days 
combined,  was  the  first  day  that  I  came  to  my 
senses  on  my  second  voyage. 

"  Oh  Charley,  it  was  conscience — conscience  ! 
Many  gay  scenes  have  I  witnessed  since  then, 
in  the  midst  of  which,  conscience,  by  suddenly 
bringing  such  recollections  to  my  mind,  has  dis- 
pelled the  temporary  charms  of  pleasure  which 
I  had  gathered  around  me ;  but  as  conscience  met 
with  strenuous  resistance,  fainter  and  fainter 
seemed  her  rebukes,  until  my  soul  was  hardened 
by  sin. 

"  Yet  once  a  softer  feeling  came  over  my  mind. 
I  had  recovered  from  a  severe  sickness,  and,  not 
being  able  to  go  to  sea  immediately,  resolved  to 
visit  my  home.  Twenty  years  had  elapsed  since 
I  had  left  it ;  yet  I  dared  not  to  assume  my  own 
name — but  under  false  colours  I  arrived  at  my 
native  town.  The  change  that  had  passed  over  it 
was  great — but  not  so  great  as  the  change  that 
had  passed  over  myself.  I  recognised  many 
things  and  many  faces,  but  no  one  recognised  me. 
1  made  inquiries  of  the  landlord  of  the  village 


216  ,  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

tavern,  about  the  inhabitants,  in  such  a  manner 
as  not  to  excite  suspicion.  My  parents  were 
dead — they  had  died  in  the  far  West,  and  for 
aught  that  was  known,  my  brothers  and  sisters 
still  dwelt  there,  or  were  buried  by  their  side. 
But  there  was  one,  I  dared  not  inquire  for.  though 
I  hoped  that  she  had  forgotten  me,  and  was  hap- 
pier with  another  than  she  ever  could  have  been 
with  such  a  wretch  as  myself;  but  I  could  not 
find  courage  to  mention  her  name,  lest  I  should 
be  betrayed — and  I  would  not  have  been  discov- 
ered for  worlds. 

"  A  wanderer  in  my  own  home,  I  sauntered 
about  the  streets  seeking  familiar  objects  dear  to 
my  youth,  and  at  length  strolled  into  the  burial 
ground.  I  found  there  the  names  of  many  of  my 
early  associates,  and  I  sadly  gazed  upon  these, 
the  only  mementos  that  were  left  of  them  to  me 
— but  suddenly  I  stopped — for  a  white  tomb- 
stone met  my  gaze,  and  on  it  was  inscribed  her 
name  !  She  had  died  three  years  after  1  had  re- 
ceived her  farewell  kiss  of  affection,  and  prom- 
ised in  return  the  truest  and  most  constant,  love  ! 
I  asked  no  more  questions  of  any  one — and  here 
I  needed  to  ask  none.  Sftie  died — she  must  have 
died  of  a  broken  heart ! — and  so  perhaps  died  my 
beloved  parents.  I  gathered  a  handful  of  the 
tall  rank  grass  from  her  grave,  and  departed, 
never  again  to  return  ! 

"My  life  then  became  wretched  indeed.     My 
youth  and  health  were  gone,  and  I  could  no 


THE    OLD    SAILOR.  217 

longer  enjoy  pleasures,  which  long  before,  by 
repetition,  had  lost  their  power  to  please.  But 
latterly  a  thought  comes  over  me  at  times,  that 
I  may  yet  be  forgiven — and  thus  may  meet 
again  in  heaven,  those  I  shall  nevermore  behold 
on  earth.  Yes,  Charley,  I'm  a  shattered  old 
hulk,  and  have  been  long  adrift — but,  thank 
God,  I  hope  the  sighs  of  repentance  have  at  last 
wafted  me  to  good  holding-ground,  and  I  have 
one  anchor  left — it  is  Hope.  When  that  takes 
hold  upon  Mercy,  we  can't  go  ashore." 

Such  was  the  story  of  old  Bill — if  not  his  pre- 
cise words,  as  near  as  my  recollection  serves 
me. 

We  became  intimate  friends.  His  sad  history 
had  conveyed  a  moral.  His  was,  too,  the  best 
advice  one  sailor  ever  gave  another.  Let  it  not 
be  sneered  at  because  he  chose  to  include  one  of 
the  learned  professions  in  his  enumeration  of 
sailors'  enemies.  He  meant  "sailor  lawyers," 
and  experience  has  since  proved  to  me  that  he 
was  riot  wrong  in  adding  them  to  his  list,  rior 
very  far  out  of  the  way  in  the  comparison  with 
which  he  has  honoured  them. 

It  is  a  fact,  too  notorious  to  be  disputed,  that 
in  some  places,  certain  of  these  gentry  are  leagued 
with  landlords,  and  make  it  their  business  to  stir 
up  ill  feelings  among  sailors  towards  their  offi- 
cers, bringing  cases  into  the  courts  which  might 
not,  perhaps,  have  been  dreamed  of;  and,  as  is 
usual,  getting  a  very  good  oyster,  and  in  almost 


218  THE    OLD   SAILOR. 

every  instance,  leaving  the  two  shells  to  be  di- 
gested between  plaintiff  and  defendant.  One  of 
the  members  of  the  Suffolk  bar  once  had  the 
frankness  to  tell  the  writer,  whom  he  was  pros- 
ecuting for  an  alleged  cruel  assault  and  battery, 
that  he  had  no  doubt  of  his  innocence,  but  that 
the  sailor,  having  come  off  from  a  long  voyage, 
had  plenty  of  money,  and  as  long  as  that  lasted, 
he  was  determined  to  carry  on  the  suit.  Rather 
than  be  at  numerous  law  expenses,  this  gentle- 
man received  a  clever  sum  to  settle,  for  which 
he  gave  his  own  receipt  as  attorney  for  the  sailor, 
who  might  have  received  it,  or  might  not — but 
the  probability  seemed  that  he  had  been  the 
loser  rather  than  the  gainer,  as  he  went  to  sea 
again  in  a  few  days,  the  landlord  taking  his  ad- 
vance wages  for  money  which  he  owed  !  I  do 
not  bring  forward  this  example  to  gratify  my 
own  spleen,  though  I  must  own  that  I  was  indif- 
ferently pleased  with  the  affair,  but  I  mention  it 
as  one  of  the  numerous  instances  of  the  depreda- 
tions of  this  class  of  land-sharks  which  have 
come  to  my  knowledge,  and  which  happening 
to  in  part  myself,  affords  me  at  least  strong 
grounds  for  belief  in  its  truth.  And  I  trust  the 
honest  gentlemen  of  Court-street,  will  have  no 
more  objection  to  its  exposure  than  an  honest 
landlord  will  dislike  the  exposure  of  a  rogue 
— a  pious  man  of  a  hypocrite — or  the  tempe- 
rance society  the  downfall  of  rum.  I  am  writing 
just  now,  as  I  humbly  hope,  for  the  benefit  of 


THE   OLD    SAILOR.  219 

sailors.  I  wish  to  point  out  all  their  enemies  to 
them,  and  beg  them,  as  they  value  their  happi- 
ness, reputation,  health,  and  property,  to  re- 
member old  Bill's  advice,  the  whole  of  it,  from 
clue  to  earing. 

We  at  length  arrived  at  our  port  of  destination. 
The  good  resolutions  which  Bill  had  formed 
were  not  abandoned.  He  withstood  every  temp- 
tation that  was  thrown  in  his  way,  and  won  the 
esteem  and  respect  of  his  officers  and  shipmates, 
as  the  consistent  conduct  of  a  good  seaman  inva- 
riably will.  Unquestionably  there  are  some- 
times brutes  who  creep  into  stations  of  authority 
and  trust  on  board  of  American  vessels— but 
they  are  never  allowed  to  continue  long,  and  I 
cannot  but  believe  that  their  cruelty  is  almost 
always  greatly  exaggerated,  for  their  own  self- 
interest  would  prevent  its  execution.  I  can  truly 
say,  that  during  many  years  on  board  of  many 
different  vessels,  I  have  seldom  seen  a  good  sail- 
or, who  knew  and  did  his  duty,  maltreated  or 
abused  ;  nor  from  credible  and  impartial  testi- 
mony, do  we  often  hear  of  such  instances.  These 
alleged  abuses  heaped  upon  sailors  may  gene- 
rally be  sifted  down  to  pretty  severe  treatment 
of  those  who  cannot  or  will  not  perform  their 
duty  as  able  seamen ;  and  in  either  case,  such  fel- 
lows should  expect  it.  If  they  cannot  do  their 
duty,  they  have  no  right  to  ship  as  anything 
more  than  ordinaries,  and  thus  impose  upon 
their  officers  and  shipmates  by  taking  the  place 


220  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

of  other  men,  especially  when  vessels  are  so  un- 
dermanned as  at  present.  If  they  will  not  do 
their  duty  when  they  do  know  it,  they  should 
not  be  disappointed  if  their  treatment  corre- 
sponds with  their  obstinacy. 

After  visiting  several  ports,  the  old  Amelia's 
head  was  pointed  for  home,  and  at  first  every- 
thing promised  a  speedy  passage.  But  such  was 
not  to  be  our  lot.  After  experiencing  gale  after 
gale,  we  at  length  weathered  the  Cape,  but  the 
passage  was  prolonged  almost  beyond  precedent, 
and  that  dreadful  scourge,  the  scurvy,  appeared 
among  us.  It  is  a  consolation  to  know  that  this 
fell  disease  is  every  year  becoming  more  and 
more  rare,  as  greater  attention  has  latterly  been 
paid  to  the  comfort  of  seamen,  and  more  regafd 
is  had  to  their  diet  and  cleanliness;  but  formerly 
its  ravages  were  dreadful,  and  even  now,  we 
sometimes  hear  of  its  melancholy  effects  upon 
entire  crews.  Let  ship-owners  be  persuaded  to 
supply  their  vessels  plentifully  with  flour  and 
vegetables  and  some  live  stock,  and  it  will  soon 
entirely  disappear.  It  is  really  astonishing  that 
this  precaution  has  not  been  heretofore  more  ex- 
tensive, for,  putting  motives  of  humanity  aside, 
salt  beef  and  bread  alone  have  been  found  to  be 
the  most  expensive  articles  in  the  victualling  of 
a  ship.  One  barrel  of  beef,  and  one  of  flour,  will 
last  one  third  longer  than  two  barrels  of  beef,  and 
cost  one  fourth  less.  Flour  allowed  once,  or  at 
most  twice  a  week,  is  considered  in  many  vessels 


THE   OLD    SAILOR.  221 

as  very  liberal — but  I  have  found  that  by  far  the 
cheapest  way  is  to  give  it  to  the  crew  every  day. 

As  is  usually  the  case,  from  what  cause  does 
not  appear — this  disease  fell  first  and  heaviest 
upon  the  oldest  men  on  board  ;  arid  by  the  time 
we  were  within  ten  days'  sail  of  home,  the  chief 
officer,  who  was  an  elderly  man,  had  fallen  a 
victim  to  its  power,  and  the  half  of  the  crew 
were  off  duty.  My  old  shipmate  suffered  more 
than  any  other,  and  the  death  of  the  mate  caused 
him  to  despair  of  recovery. 

On  the  day  of  the  officer's  burial,  he  called 
me  to  the  side  of  his  bunk :  "  Charley,"  said  he, 
"so  Mr.  Williams  is  gone?  Well,  my  turn 
comes  next." 

"  Oh  no,  Bill,"  said  I,  "  I  hope  not.  We  have 
got  a  fair  wind  now,  and^hall  be  on  soundings 
in  a  few  days,  and  then  you'll  be  all  right 
again." 

"  NEVER  !"  said  the  old  man  solemnly.  "  No, 
I  shall  never  land  in  Boston  alive.  If  not  be- 
fore, I  shall  die  the  moment  we  strike  soundings. 
I  hope  I  may  hold  out  till  then,  and  perhaps  the 
captain  will  keep  my  poor  old  hulk  aboard  till 
the  ship  gets  in.*" 

I  endeavoured  to  console  him,  and  assured  him 
that  should  it  be  so,  we  would  all  beg  the  cap- 
tain to  grant  his  request,  if  it  could  be  done. 

"But,"  said  he,  pressing  my  hand,  "I  have 
one  request  to  make  of  you,  /would  do  it  for 
any  one,  and  I  know  you  will  do  it  for  me  !  ' 


222  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

The  tears  started  in  my  eyes  as  I  promised  to 
obey  his  wish  before  it  was  expressed.  He  then 
asked  for  pen  and  paper,  which  being  furnished, 
he  wrote  a  draft  upon  the  owners,  made  payable 
to  myself,  for  all  the  wages  due  him  to  the  time 
of  his  death.  He  put  the  paper  in  my  hand, 
and  held  that  in  his  own,  while  he  told  me  to 
draw  the  money,  and  expend  it  in  having  his 

body  transported  to ,  and,  he  added  in  a 

faltering  voice,  "have  it  buried  by  her  side." 

I  repeated  the  promise  already  made,  and 
pledged  my  word  to  see  it  done  myself. 

"  I  knew  you  would,  Charley.;"  said  he, 
squeezing  my  hand,  "  I  knew  you  would" — and 
he  then  continued,  "  if  there  is  anything  left,  put 
it  into  Father  Taylor's  box." 

But  the  consolation  was  denied  him.  Our 
favourable  wind  soon  failed.  He  become  more 
and  more  exhausted,  and  it  was  evident  to  him- 
self, as  weJl  as  to  others,  that  his  end  was  at 
hand.  Sailors  may  be  supposed  rough  nurses, 
but  we  did  every  thing  in  our  power  to  soothe  his 
dying  moments. 

On  Saturday  he  had  been  fast  drooping,  and 
we  had  expected  that  every^our  would  be  his 
last;  but  as  evening  drew  on,  he  revived  a  little. 
and  asked  me  how  was  the  weather.  I  told  him 
it  was  fine. 

"  Are  the  stars  out?  "  he  inquired. 

He  was  told  that  they  were. 


THE    OLD    SAILOR.  223 

"  Then,  oh,  take  me  on  deck,  and  let  me  look 
at  them  once  more  !  " 

His  request  was  complied  with.  He  was 
carefully  lifted  out  of  the  fore  scuttle,  and  placed 
on  the  weather  side  of  the  forecastle.  We  were 
off  Bermuda,  and  it  was  indeed  a  beautiful 
evening.  It  might  almost  be  said  with  truth, 

"  The  winds  were  all  hushed,  and  the  waves  were  at  rest." 

For  only  a  slight  ripple  under  the  bows  broke 
the  stillness  of  the  hour,  and  its  dirge-like  music 
seemed  tuned  by  nature  for  the  parting  soul, 
while  the  gentle  breeze  was  ready  to  waft  it  to 
the  mansions  of  the  blest.  As  the  eyes  of  the 
sufferer  gazed  on  the  bright  firmament  over  his 
head,  they  gathered  an  unearthly  lustre,  and  a 
triumphant  smile  irradiated  his  pallid  features, 
as  he  clasped  his  hands  Across  his  bosom  and 
exclaimed,  "THANK  GOD,  I  AM  FORGIVEN!" 

These  were  his  last  words,  and  uttered  almost 
with  his  last  breath.  He  was  dead ;  but  his 
countenance  seemed  to  grow  brighter  after  life 
had  fled,  as  if  his  purified  spirit  had  returned 
from  heaven  to  share  its  happiness  with  the  frail 
body,  which  hacU^een  its  companion  so  long  upon 
earth. 

Thus  the  hope  which  my  old  shipmate  had 
cherished  of  dying  on  shore,  was  disappointed. 
But  why  should  it  have  been  regretted?  Far 
different  is  a  funeral  on  shore  from  one  at  sea. 
Who  would  prefer  the  ceremony  and  bustle ;  the 
solemn  pageantry  of  the  hearse  and  the  pall ;  the 


£24  THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

being  deposited  in  the  damp  earth,  to  become  the 
food  of  noisome  reptiles,  to  being  launched  from 
under  our  glorious  flag,  into  the  bosom  of  the 
ocean,  which  for  so  many  years  has  been  our 
home,  and  which  will  not  at  last  stint  us  to  a  few 
feet  of  room  ? 

It  would  have  better  harmonized  with  our 
feelings  had  the  sun  risen  as  smilingly,  as  on  the 
previous  evening  he  had  set  over  the  calm  ex- 
panse of  waters.  But  the  Storm  king  revelled 
where  the  gentle  zephyr  so  lately  played  upon 
the  smooth  pathway  now  broken  into  crested 
waves  around  us. 

The  body,  lashed  in  a  hammock  for  a  winding 
sheet,  was  brought  upon  deck,  and  having  been 
placed  upon  a  board  in  a  lee  port,  was  covered 
by  the  folds  of  the  J&ck.  The  ensign  flutter- 
ed at  half-mast  in  the  gale,  above  the  roar  of 
which  the  clear  voice  of  the  captain  was  heard 
commencing  the  solemn  service  for  the  burial  of 
the  dead. 

"I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life,  saith  the 
Lord ;  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were 
dead,  yet  shall  he  live  :  and  whosoever  liveth 
and  believeth  in  me,  shall  neWr  die."  As  the 
service  proceeded,  tears  stood  in  the  eyes  of 
many  who  had  seldom  wept  till  then.  At  the 
words  C{  We  therefore  commit  his  body  to  the 
deep,"  the  jack  was  raised,  and  the  board  with 
its  burden  fell  into  the  sea.  The  shot  at  the  feet 


THE    OLD    SAILOR. 

of  the  body  soon  carried  it  down  from  our  sight, 
and  the  dark  billows  rolled  over  the  old  sailor. 
t  was  his  executor,  though  little  wealth  did 
he  leave  behind  him ;  but  upon  searching  his 
chest,  a  small  tortoise-shell  box  tastefully  worked 
by  his  own  hands,  was  found.  It  contained  a 
few  blades  of  withered  grass,  and  upon  the 
paper  which  wrapped  them,  were  these  lines, 
penned  by  himself : 

I  love  to  pace  the  decks  alone, 

And  gaze  upon  the  starry  sky  ; 
I  think  thy  gentle  spirit  flown, 

To  dvfell  in  some  bright  orb  on  high. 

Then  oh,  from  thy  celestial  home, 

Behold  the  wanderer  on  the  sea ; 
If  angel  glances  hither  roam, 

Let  one  sweet  glance  but  rest  on  me. 

Not  like  the  love  of  others,  mine, 
To  cool  as  years  pass  o'er  my  head  ; 

My  love  was  thine — it  still  is  thine — 
I  love  thee  yet,  though  thou  art  dead! 

Oh,  could  I  know  when  life  is  o'er, 
That  I  should  rise  to  dwell  with  thee, 

I'd  ask  for  death,  and  ask  no  more, 
For  death  were  life  itself  to  me. 

"  While  there  is  life  there  yet  is  hope," 
There's  hope  beyond  life's  rugged  sea  ; 

Yes,  'tis  an  anchor,  and  its  scope 
Is  lengthened  to  eternity  ! 


VESSELS  IN  DISTRESS. 


"  Arrived,  this  day,  ship :  15th  inst.,  lat.    37  «    long. 

73°  30',  saw  the  wreck  of  a  large  vessel,  painted  black,  with  a 
white  streak,  every  thing  gone  but  bowsprit ;  stanchions  and  bul- 
warks stove ;  could  see  nothing  on  deck  ;  the  wreck  being  dead  to 
windward,  did  not  get  near  enough  to  learn  further." 

THIS  is  only  one  of  many  similar  reports  that 
might  be  copied  from  the  newspapers,  and  which, 
probably  on  account  of  their  frequency,  attract 
so  little  attention. 

Scarcely  a  day  passes  in  the  winter  season, 
but  we  see  reports  of  dismasted,  wrecked  and 
water-logged  vessels — and  how  many  of  them 
have  been  spoken  ?  They  were  seen  in  lat.  and 
long  so-and-so — they  appeared  to  be  vessels  of 
such  and  such  tonnage— and  this  is  all.  Now  in 
the  name  of  humanity,  I  ask,  is  this  right  1  As 
one  who  has  the  greatest  reason  for  gratitude  for 
relief  in  distress,  and  who  I  trust  feels  grateful 
for  the  satisfaction  of  assisting  to  rescue  some  of 
my  fellow  creatures  from  a  miserable  death,  I 
put  it  to  the  consciences  of  my  brother  shipmas- 
ters, do  we  do  our  duty  in  no  tusing  every  pos- 


VESSELS    IN    DISTRESS.  227 

sible  means  to  ascertain  whether  these  wrecks 
may  not  contain  human  life  ?  How  incomparably 
more  precious  than  the  few  dollars  that  may  be 
be  saved  by  cruel  neglect ! 

What  would  be  thought  of  the  landsman  who 
would  pass  a  capsized  vehicle  on  the  road  with- 
out stopping  to  see  if  any  one  was  injured? 
What  then  can  be  thought  of  the  sailor  who  will 
coolly  pass  a  wreck  which  may  never  be  fallen 
in  with  again,  and  in  whose  cabin  or  forecastle 
may  lie  those  to  whom  life  is  as  precious  as  his 
own  is  to  him — whom  hunger  is  driving  to  dis- 
traction, and  whose  parched  lips  would  call 
down  a  blessing  upon  him  for  a  cup  of  water, 
for  bestowing  which  the  remainder  of  his  days 
would  be  gladdened  by  a  happiness  which  no- 
thing could  ever  deprive  him  of. 

It  is  our  bounden  duty  in  all  cases  of  falling 
in  with  wrecks,  to  ascertain,  beyond  a  doubt, 
that  there  is  no  living  mortal  on  board,  before  we 
leave  them.  There  is  no  excuse  for  such  deser- 
tion. If  the  wind  is  ahead,  beat  up — and  if  it 
blows  a  gale,  even  a  fair  one,  keep  as  near  as  pos- 
sible until  it  moderates.  Underwriters  will  not 
allow  us  to  stop  to  save  cargo,  but  they  do  allow 
us  to  stop  to  save  life,  and  can  we  for  the  sake 
of  shortening  our  passage  a  few  hours  or  days, 
embitter  our  future  existence  with  unavailing 
regrets  that  some  of  our  fellow  beings  may  have 
perished  through  our  negligence ;  for  assuredly 


228  VESSELS    IN   DISTRESS. 

such  thoughts  will  often  torment  us,  if  we  have 
any  consciences  at  all. 

It  was  not  long  ago,  that  a  vessel  passed  Gun 
Key,  or  Double-Headed  Shot  Keys,  and  reported 
that  she  saw  the  colours  union  down,  and  she 
passed  on,  like  the  Priest  and  the  Levite  of  old. 
A  few  days  afterward,  another  vessel,  (we  wish 
we  could  remember  her  name,  and  that  of  her 
captain,)  saw  the  same  signal  of  distress,  sent 
the  boat  ashore,  found  the  inhabitants  in  a  state 
of  starvation,  and  gave  them  every  pound  of  pro- 
visions they  could  spare,  reserving  but  enough  for 
themselves  to  get  into  port.  The  first  will  hear  of 
this,  and  when  the  night  of  death  closes  around 
him,  the  recollection  of  this  incident  will  make  it 
darker  still — while  a  ray  of  hope  will  cheer  the 
parting  soul  of  the  pood  Samaritan,  that  as  he 
had  pity  upon  his  fellow-men,  so  his  God  will 
be  merciful  to  him. 

Within  two  years  a  ship  arrived  in  Boston, 
and  the  captain  coolly  reported  as  an  item  of 
news,  that  on  his  passage  from  Europe,  he  had 
passed  a  vessel  bottom  up,  with  men  clinging  to 
her  keel;  but  as  it  was  •' '  blowing  fresh,''  he  could 
render  no  assistance. 

Blowing  fresh,  and  that  was  all  the  excuse 
he  made  !  The  name  of  the  ship  and  that  of  the 
captain  has  passed  from  my  recollection  ;  nor  do 
I  wish  to  recall  them  ;  but  they  are  on  the 
newspaper  files,  and  there  you  may  find  them. 


VESSELS    IN    DISTRESS.  229 

if  you  wish  to  be  certified  that  such  a  thing 
can  be  ! 

For  what  does  such  a  man  suppose  that  God 
has  placed  him  here  ?  To  do  unto  others  as  he 
would  that  others  should  do  unto  him, — or  to 
treat  his  brethren  in  a  way,  for  being  guilty  of 
which,  a  Newfoundland  dog  would,  Judas' -like, 
put  an  end  to  his  existence,  out  of  very  shame  ! 

The  brig  "  Peru,"  of  Boston,  sailed  lately  for 
South  America.  She  was  knocked  down  in  the 
Gulf  Stream  ;  and,  after  cutting  away  her  masts, 
she  righted,  full  of  water.  Captain  Prior,  and 
those  of  his  crew  who  survived,  were  on  the 
wreck  nine  days,  with  not  a  morsel  to  eat  or  drink, 
and  during  this  time  several  vessels  passed  near 
them  ;  they  must  have  been  seen,  and  were 
probably  reported  as  "  a  vessel  dismasted  and 
water-logged,"  &c.  &c.  On  the  ninth  day,  a 
French  ship  hove  in  sight.  The  wind  was 
blowing  fresh  from  the  north-west,  and  she  was 
bowling  along  merrily  towards  home ;  but  as 
the  wreck  was  descried,  she  hauled  up  and 
spoke  her.  There  was  too  much  sea  for  a  boat 
to  live  :  "  But,"  said  the  gallant  Frenchman, 
"I  will  take  you  off  if  I  wait  a  month."  He 
kept  his  position ;  and  after  waiting  thirty-six 
hours,  the  sea  went  down,  and  he  redeemed  his 
promise.  "  That  old  Frenchman,"  said  Captain 
Prior,  "  God  bless  him,  was  a  father  to  us  all ; 
his  cabin,  clothes,  and  all  he  had,  were  at  my 
service  ;  nor  did  he  or  his  passengers  cease  their 
11 


230  VESSELS    IN    DISTRESS. 

unremitting  attentions,  until  we  were  in  the 
consul's  hands  in  Bordeaux,  and  furnished  with 
the  means  of  getting  home.'7 

That  generous  man  has  kindled  a  feeling  of 
gratitude,  which  will  never  be  extinguished  in 
the  bosoms  of  those  he  saved  from  death,  and  has 
gladdened  the  hearts  of  their  friends,  who,  had 
he  passed  on  like  others  because  it  "blew 
fresh,"  or  because  "  she  was  dead  to  windward," 
might  now,  and  for  all  their  lives,  have  felt  that 
horrid  uncertainty,  worse  than  a  knowledge  of 
the  certain  death  of  those  dear  to  them.  And  he 
has  treasured  up  for  himself  a  fund  of  the  purest 
happiness,  on  which  to  draw  for  comfort  amidst 
all  the  ills  of  life.  He  will  enjoy  the  approving 
smile  of  his  Maker  now,  and  will  hereafter  hear 
him  say,  "  Inasmuch  as  thou  didst  it  unto  one 
of  these,  thou  didst  it  unto  me !" 


"MISSING    VESSELS." 


"MissiNG  VESSELS,"  sometimes  heads  a  large 
list  in  the  marine  department  of  the  newspapers, 
and  what  is  supposed  to  have  become  of  them  ? 
Let  me  hazard  an  answer.  In  two  cases  out  of 
three  they  are  lost  by  collision  ;  and  in  the  same 
proportion,  at  least,  this  collision  has  occurred 
for  want  of  a  good  look-out. 

Eight  o'clock.  P.  M.  ,  and  Capt.  Easy,  having  had 
his  grog  and  smoked  his  cigar,  feels  sleepy,  and 
says :  ':  Well,  Mr.  Nighthead,  I'll  turn  in.  Itwould 
be  pleasant  to  have  a  moon,  this  thick,  squally 
weather — however,  keep  a  good  look-out,  and  let 
me  know  if  it  blows  any  harder.  Good  night." 
"Ay,  ay.  sir,"  replies  Mr.  Nighthead,  who  then 
walks  into  the  waist,  and  sings  out,  "Keep  a 
bright  look-out  ahead,  there  !"  A  gruff  "  ay,  ay, 
sir."  comes  from  under  some  p-jacket,  and  Mr. 
Nighthead  walks  aft,  lies  down  on  the  hen-coop, 
and  in  ten  minutes  is  sound  asleep.  And  how 
are  the  watch  7  As  may  be  expected,  and  the 
man  at  the  wheel,  after  casting  a  few  occasional 


232  MISSING   VESSELS, 

glances  at  the  sails  to  ascertain  that  the  ship  is 
somewhere  near  the  wind,  lays  over  his  wheel 
and  looks  into  the  binnacle  where  he  sees  more 
than  a  hundred  different  points  to  the  compass 
dancing  more  than  a  hundred  different  ways, 
and  then  sees  nothing  at  all.  Suddenly,  with  a 
sound  that  might  almost  startle  the  dead,  there 
comes  a  voice  in  their  ears,  "  Hard  up  your 
helm!"  The  sleepers  awake:  the  affrighted 
helmsman  throws  his  wheel  down  instead  of  up. 
The  half-conscious  mate  rushes  to  his  assistance. 
The  watch  start  to  their  feet,  and  know  not  if 
they  are  still  dreaming,  or  if  there  is  a  dread  re- 
ality in  the  huge  line-of-battle  ship,  the  roaring 
water  under  whose  bows,  sounds  for  an  instant 
in  their  ears  like  the  thunder  of  a  cataract,  and 
then  they  and  their  sleeping  companions  below 
will  never  hear  again,  until  they  hear  the  sea 
called  upon  to  give  up  its  dead  ! 

Old  Captain  Wethereye  was  a  good  school- 
master upon  this  subject,  and  taught  us  many 
lessons,  one  of  which  was  strongly  impressed 
upon  my  memory,  and  I  think  was  not  forgotten 
by  any,  at  least  for  one  voyage. 

it  was  a  cold  January  night  in  the  British 
Channel,  and  we  were  ordered  to  look  out  sharp 
for  vessels,  and  told  moreover  of  its  particular 
importance  in  that  place.  At  half-past  twelve 
the  captain  walked  forward  and  found  us  all 
wide  awake,  and  then  turned  about,  bade  the 
mate  "  good  night,"  and  went  below.  This  ma- 


MISSING    VESSELS.  233 

noBiivre  was  watched,  and  we  naturally  con- 
cluded that  as  he  had  been  on  deck  all  his  own 
watch,  he  intended  to  take  a  snooze — and  as  the 
mate  was  not  an  object  of  much  dread,  we  com- 
posed ourselves  on  deck  to  follow  his  example. 

The  "  Old  Man,"  however,  out-generalled 
us,  for  he  came  up  again  in  about  half  an  hour 
and  found  us  snoring.  He  then  went  quietly 
down  again,  called  the  second  mate  and  the 
steward,  and,  arming  them,  and  himself, 
with  two  buckets  of  ice-cold  water  each,  they 
came  upon  the  unsuspecting  foe,  and  in  an 
instant  we  were  as  moist  as  the  bottom  of  the 
ocean.  "And  now,  you  precious  rascals!"  said 
he,  "  for  I  can  call  you  nothing  better,  after  such 
conduct,  lay  up  on  the  fore-topsail  yard,  the 
whole  of  you,  and  see  if  you  can  keep  your  eyes 
open  for  the  next  three  hours;  and  you,  Mr. 
Deadeye,  go  up  on  to  the  top-gallant  yard  and 
watch  them !"  In  vain  did  we  beg  leave  to 
change  our  dripping  clothes.  We  were  obliged 
to  obey,  and  such  a  three  hours  I  never  wish  to 
see  again.  It  was  an  effectual  remedy  for  drow- 
siness, and  thoroughly  cured  the  complaint ;  nor 
was  there  a  relapse  for  the  remainder  of  the  voy- 
age. 

Very  many  instances  will  readily  occur  to  the 
minds  of  all  who,  for  any  length  of  time,  have 
navigated  the  ocean,  especially  in  its  more  fre- 
quented parts,  of  narrow  escapes  from  collision, 


234  MISSING    VESSELS. 

which  were  only  avoided  by  wakefulness.  Even 
that,  however,  will  not  always  prevent  it. 

Not  long  since  an  accident  of  this  kind  hap- 
pened to  a  ship  which  I  commanded. 

The  night  was  intensely  dark,  so  that  one 
could  not  see  fore  and  aft  the  decks,  and  the 
ship  was  going  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots  with  a 
beam  wind.  The  watch  were  awake  at  any 
rate  that  night,  and  were  stationed,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  man, "who  was  on  the  night  heads, 
at  topsail  haulyards  and  reef-tackles,  when,  as  if 
by  the  shock  of  an  earthquake,  we  were  thrown 
to  the  deck.  Another  vessel  upon  the  other  tack 
had  struck  our  lee  bow,  coming  upon  us  so  sud- 
denly as  to  be  unperceived  by  the  look-out,  who 
was  a  faithful  man.  I  had  seen  him  standing 
at  his  station  but  a  moment  before,  and  he  was 
now  thrown,  with  the  fragments  of  the  rail  on 
which  he  stood,  to  some  distance  abaft  the  fore- 
mast. 

The  other  vessel  went  down,  and  all  on  board 
perished,  and  we  were  preserved,  as  if  by  a  mir- 
acle, from  sharing  their  fate  !  Although  I  felt 
satisfied  with  the  look-out  we  then  kept,  and 
which  was  as  good  as  usual,  I  have  often  thought 
since,  that  this  might  never  have  occurred,  had 
the  master  of  the  unfortunate  vessel  and  my- 
self, used  the  precaution  of  showing  a  light, 
which  I  have  ever  afterwards  adopted. 

This  practice  is  objected  to  by  some,  upon  the 
ground  that  a  light  does  more  injury  to  themselves 


MISSING  VESSELS.  235 

than  good  to  others ;  and  this  would  be  very  true 
if  it  were  allowed  to  shine  about  the  decks.  But 
such  a  lantern  as  I  have  used  cannot  be  com- 
plained of  in  this  respect,  for  its  existence,  when 
displayed,  would  scarcely  be  known  to  those  on 
board.  It  is  so  constructed  as  to  fit  on  the  end 
of  the  bowsprit,  under  the  jib-boom,  and  has 
four  staples  which  are  entered  by  hooks  and  are 
keyed.  The  after  part  contains  the  door.  Each 
side  and  the  front  (which  is  narrower  than  the 
back)  has  a  thick  glass  plate.  Within  is  a  large 
lamp  of  six  wicks.  One  objection  to  it  may  be 
raised  by  a  certain  class  of  ship-owners,  to  whom 
ten  dollars  is  of  more  value  than  the  lives  of  all 
their  crews — it  requires  oil ! 

Subsequently,  being  on  a  voyage  to  Russia, 
there  occurred  a  very  dark  and  blowy  night. 
Eight  o'clock  was  the  appointed  hour  for  carry- 
ing out  the  lantern.  Coming  on  deck  soon  after, 
I  found  that  it  had  been  neglected,  and  accord- 
ingly told  the  second  mate,  whose  fault  it  was, 
to  ship  it,  and  to  seat  himself  on  the  jib-boom, 
to  see  that  the  light  continued  to  burn.  The 
gentleman  went  forward  with  an  indistinct  mut- 
ter about  "  new-fashioned  humbugs,"  which  did 
not  tend  to  shorten  his  "new-fashioned  watch." 
An  hour  afterwards  we  were  running  with  a 
strong  quartering  breeze,  under  double-reefed 
topsails,  when  the  look-out  on  the  forecastle 
sung  out,  "  Light  ho!"  and  there  was  a  brig 
lying  to.  directly  ahead  of  us.  Our  course  was 


236  MISSING     VESSELS. 

altered  in  time  to  pass  under  her  stern,  giving 
her  a  sufficient  berth,  but  near  enough  to  see  a 
man  on  the  quarter  deck  holding  a  lantern  in  his 
hand ! 

This  incident  may  convince  many  of  the  im- 
portance of  carrying  a  light,  as  well  as  keeping 
a  good  look-out,  for,  had  we  neglected  either  of 
these  precautions,  two  more  might  have  been 
added  to  the  list  of  "  Missing  Vessels." 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS. 


POOR  JACK  !  Imposed  upon  by  rum-sellers, 
lawyers,  landlords,  and  shipping-masters,  is  it 
not  enough,  and  must  your  employers  come  in 
for  a  share  of  the  devil's  work  ? 

But  who  cares  for  you  ?  Let  a  pack  of  fifty 
lazy  land-lubbers,  who  cannot  walk  a  mile  to 
their  old  church,  or  who'must  separate  therefrom 
for  the  difference  of  "  tweedle-dum  and  tweed le- 
dee,"  send  an  agent  through  the  land  to  tell  us  of 
those  feeble  and  persecuted  brethren,  who  want 
a  new  meeting-house  for  conscience'  sake,  bank 
bills  drop  softly  and  silver  rattles  into  the  contri- 
bution boxes,  while  the  donors  congratulate  them- 
selves upon  having  done  a  deal  of  good — of  hav- 
ing "  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  .against 
the  mighty." 

The  wants  of  the  West  come  crying  into  the 
market,  and  every  parish  pays  its  yearly  stipend 
to  the  Home  Missionary  Society.  Then  we 
hear  of  children  brought  up  in  ignorance,  and 
the  Sunday-school  agent  has  his  hand  in  our 
11* 


238      SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS. 

pockets.  Next  we  are  told  that  every  house  in 
the  land  must  have  a  Bible  and  some  tracts. 
Temperance  must  prevail  throughout  the  coun- 
try;  and  finally,  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands 
of  dollars  must  be  expended  to  keep  up  an  ex- 
citement which  rivets  the  chains  of  "  our  co- 
loured brethren"  and  which  has  exasperated  the 
South  to  such  a  degree,  that  our  poor  cooks  and 
stewards  are  treated  with  more  severity  than 
before.  Now,  God  bless  and  prosper  all  benev- 
olent societies,  especially  those  whose  aim  it  is 
to  benefit  "our  own,  our  native  land."  But  let 
us  come  in  for  our  share;  let  the  Christian  pub- 
lic, particularly  such  as  support  the  Foreign 
Missions,  look  about  them  and  see  how  little, 
comparatively,  has  been  done  for  Seamen,  con- 
sidering, at  the  same  time,  how  intimately  their 
improvement  is  connected  with  the  object  they 
have  in  view.  Let  public  opinion  open  its  bat- 
teries upon  Sailors'  enemies,  and  turn  the  hearts, 
or  at  least  influence  the  conduct,  of  their  em- 
ployers. 

Is  it  not  the  duty,  and  should  it  not  be  the 
pleasure,  of  ship-owners,  to  add  to  the  comforts 
of  those  who,  for  such  a  small  and  hard-earned 
pittance,  pour  wealth  into  their  coffers,  and 
bring  to  them  the  luxuries  of  foreign  lands  ? 
Instead  of  this,  through  ignorance,  carelessness, 
and  meanness,  their  situation  is  often  rendered 
more  intolerable  than  that  of  the  poorest  Irish- 
man who  does  the  scavenger  duties  of  the  streets. 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS.     239 

Such  ship -owners  regard  a  sailor,  as  father 
Taylor  once  justly  remarked,  as  "more  like  a 
horse  than  like  a  man,  and  if  they  have  the  hu- 
manity to  give  him  a  lodging  at  all,  it  would  be  in 
the  barn."  If  they  have  a  rotten  ship,  the  only 
consideration  that  troubles  them  is  effecting  in- 
surance; and  if  that  can  be  surmounted,  they 
have  no  compunction  in  shipping  a  crew  in 
what,  if  the  poor  fellows  knew  the  reality,  they 
would  look  upon  as  their  coffin ! 

Three   winters  since,  I  was  walking  with  a 
friend  down  upon  one  of  the  wharves  at  the 
north  end  of  Boston,  where  there  lay  an  east- 
ern   ship,    aged   about   nine   years.     She    had 
leaked    badly  on  the   previous   voyage,  and   a 
piece  of  her  wales  was  then  out  for  the  length 
of  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  so  that  her  timbers  were 
exposed  to  view.     ::  You  will  have  a  great  deal 
to  do  there,"  said  my  companion  to  the  carpen- 
ter, as  he  put  his  bopt  against  one  of  the  rotten 
timbers,  and    kicked  off  more  than  half  of  its 
thickness!     i;  Oh,  don't,"    cried  the  carpenter, 
"  don't  kick  another  one  !  the  old  man  says  we 
must  cover  them  up  immediately  ! "     And  be- 
fore we  left  the  wharf,  they  were  spiking  on  the 
new  wale  !     The  ship  went  to    the  East  Indies 
and  she  happened  to  go  safely. 

This  is  a  glaring  instance :  but  cannot  many 
more  be  found  ?  What  does  the  ignorant  sailor 
know  of  the  craft  he  ships,  or,  rather,  is  shipped. 


240     SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS*  WRONGS. 

in  ?  And  if  he  is  lost  in  such  a  vessel,  is  not 
her  owner,  knowing  her  condition,  guilty  of 
something  near  akin  to  wilful  and  deliberate 
murder  ? 

I  once  made  a  voyage  in  one  of  those  east- 
ern vessels,  and  we  found  her  to  be  rotten 
enough  before  our  return.  The  captain  told  the 
owner  of  it,  but  nothing  was  done  to  her.  Other 
officers  and  another  crew  were  shipped  ;  she 
went  to  Canton,  and  fortunately  reached  St. 
Thomas  on  her  return,  where  she  was  con- 
demned ;  and  it  was  so  managed  that  the  under- 
writers were  saddled  with  the  loss,  after  all, 
not  unjustly ;  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  their 
eyes  will  be  opened,  one  of  these  days,  to  the 
impolicy,  as  well  as  injustice,  of  insuring  these 
miserable  cost-nothing  eastern  rat-traps,  at  the 
same  rate  as  good  and  faithfully-built  vessels. 

It  will  scarcely  require  proof  to  convince  peo- 
ple that  our  vessels,  in  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  are 
not  provisioned  and  manned  as  they  should  be  ; 
and  the  excuse  for  this  is,  "We  must  sail  our 
vessels  as  cheap  as  others,  these  hard  times.7' 
Hard  times,  indeed !  Mr.  Skinflint,  when  you 
employ  almost  as  many  servants  in  your  family 
as  you  do  in  your  ship ;  when  these  servants  and 
even  your  dogs  would  spurn  the  food  you  con- 
sider "good  enough  for  the  sailor,"  as  scarcely 
fit  for  a  very  hungry  hog.  Would  they  eat  old 
No.  1  beef  and  poor  bread  one  day,  and  poor 
bread  and  old  No.  1  beef  the  next,  day  after  day. 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS.     241 

with  nothing  to  relieve  this  variety  but  a  hard 
"duff,"  once  or  at  most  twice  a  week,  and  if 
you  asked  them  to  do  so,  would  they  not  laugh 
at  you,  and  leave  your  house  ?  And  how  would 
they  feel  if  you  should  put  the  labour  of  two 
men  upon  one ;  would  they  do  it  cheerfully  ? 
Yet  this  is  the  way  the  Skinflint  family  do  with 
sailors,  and  the  Skinflint  family  is  a  large  one 
too.  I  heard  a  ship  owner,  not  long  since,  make 
his  boast  that  he  could  sail  one  of  his  vessels,  a 
bark  of  about  230  tons,  with  only  four  men  be- 
"fore  the  mast,  and  no  steward,  and  that  all  the 
fresh  provisions  they  had  on  the  passage  was  a 
quarter  of  beef  when  they  left  port !  Very  many 
vessels  are  thus  shortly  manned,  and  there  are 
vessels  of  700  tons,  carying  only  twelve  fore- 
mast hands  !  Now,  Messrs,  underwriters,  how 
do  you  account  for  some  of  your  losses  ? 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  include  all  ship  owners 
in  the  class  of  which  I  have  been  speaking. 
Many  stand  out  in  bold  relief,  and  in  the  name 
of  the  sailor,  I  thank  them  for  their  liberality 
and  attention  to  the  comfort  of  their  crews,  in 
their  provisions  and  in  the  arrangement  of  their 
forecastles,  and  beg  narrow-minded  men  to  look  at 
them,  and  learn  that 

"  On  him  prosperity  attends, 

Who  most  his  fellow  men  befriends." 

These  remarks  may  have  tended  to  show  the 
many  physical  wants  of  sailors  ;  Jmt  their  moral 
necessities  call  far  louder  for  sympathy  and  ac- 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS. 

tion.  Ignorance,  the  mother  of  crime,  prevails 
amongst  them  to  a  degree  unknown  on  land.  It 
is  our  pride  and  glory  that  religion,  morality  and 
good  order  are  nowhere  to  be  found  so  preva- 
lent as  amongst  the  sons  of  New  England,  and 
the  cause  of  this  we  all  know,  is  Education. 
Why  not  give  this  blessing  to  the  sons  of  the 
ocean  as  well?  Give  them  that,  and  let  them 
rise  from  their  degraded  mental  condition  to  feel 
that  they  are  men,  and  the  news  of  mutiny  and 
piracy  will  be  less  common.  They  will  be  able  to 
withstand  their  enemies,  so  that  grogshops  and 
landlord  rascals  will  become  more  rare. 

These  thoughts  of  the  intellectual  wants  of  sea- 
men were  naturally  suggested  by  a  visit  to  the 
Sailors'  Home  in  New- York. 

After  attending  service  in  the  "  Floating 
Chapel  of  our  Saviour,"  one  Sunday  morning,  I 
received  an  invitation  from  the  Rev.  Chaplain 
to  dine  with  him  at  the  Home,  which  was  gladly 
accepted.  Having  visited  the  library,  reading 
room,  parlours,  and  in  fact  the  whole  establish- 
ment, throughout  which  the  greatest  neatness 
and  good  order  prevailed,  we  followed  the  sum- 
mons of  the  gong  to  dinner.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
PARKER  said  grace  amidst  the  profound  silence 
of  two  hundred  sailors,  who  then  sat  down  to 
their  meal  and  conducted  themselves  much  more 
like  gentlemen,  than  a  party  with  whom  I  dined 
at  the  Astor  H<3use  on  the  previous  day.  Cold 
'•'-  Croton"  was  the  only  drink — and  while  cheer- 


243 

fulness  prevailed,  there  was  nothing  approach- 
ing undue  levity.  Such  a  sight  I  never  saw  be- 
fore, and  such  a  sight  ten  years  since,  I  would 
no  more  have  expected  ever  to  witness  than  the 
fulfilment,  of  Miller's  prophecies.  Two  hundred 
seamen  voluntarily  bringing  themselves  within 
the  pale  of  civilization,  and  behaving  like  so 
many  rational  and  intelligent  men !  It  would 
certainly  but  a  few  years  ago,  have  been  re- 
garded as  miraculous. 

I  have  not  time  to  write  fully  the  many  pages 
I  might  pen  of  the  good  this  establishment  has 
already  accomplished — the  hundreds  who  have 
been  rescued  by  its  means  from  the  fangs  of 
those  serpents,  ycleped  landlords — ay,  and  the 
hundreds  too,  who  having  been  turned  out  of 
doors  by  these  sharks,  after  being  stripped  of 
their  last  cent  and  their  clothing,  have  been  re- 
ceived into  this  harbour  for  the  unfortunate, 
cared  for  and  brought  back  again  into  the  paths 
of  virtue  from  which  they  had  strayed. 

It  costs  money  indeed  to  maintain  it,  above  its 
receipts,  but  its  benevolent  projectors  have  long 
since  received  their  own  with  compound  interest 
in  the  thanks  of  many  a  reformed  sailor — in  the 
tear  of  gratitude  that  has  moistened  many  a  fond 
parent's  eye.  These  are  recompenses  far  above 
all  pecuniary  calculation.  Money  they  cannot 
carry  with  them  to  the  grave — but  these  coins 
will  pass  current  with  the  treasury  of  heaven. 

It  is  superfluous  to  dwell  upon  this  theme — to 


244    SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS. 

say  more  of  the  usefulness  of  these  charitable 
institutions.  Recent  efforts  show  that  they  are 
appreciated,  and  no  one  can  doubt  that  they  are 
among  the  first  and  best  of  means  to  promote  the 
object  every  friend  of  the  sailor  has  at  heart. 
The  support  of  these  institutions  and  of  chap- 
lains, at  home  and  abroad,  are  nearly  all  we  can 
ask  of  the  Christian  public,  and  to  the  impor- 
tance of  these,  the  public  has  at  last  awakened. 
But  wake  up,  ship-owners  and  ship-masters  !— 
do  your  duty  and  there  will  not  be  so  much  left 
for  others. 

Now,  then,  gentlemen  ship-owners,  just  look 
around  you  and  see  what  others  are  doing  who 
have  far  less  interest  in  sailors  than  you.  Do 
you  want  faithful  and  willing  men  in  your  ves- 
sels? Is  it  not  better  to  have  men  who  study 
your  interests,  and  are  willing  to  exert  them- 
selves for  your  advantage,  than  a  motley  set  of 
vagabonds,  who  will  do  no  more  than  they  are 
absolutely  compelled  to  do — and  is  not  a  satis- 
fied conscience  worth  something! 

Then  dor^t  think  Ringbolt  impertinent  if  he 
advises  you  not  only  to  give  men  room  and  good 
food,  but  to  look  after  their  moral  interests.  To 
do  this  well,  so  as  to  advance  knowledge  among 
them,  put  a  library  on  board  of  every  ship. 
Don't  say  "that  is  not  our  business" — for  I'll 
reply,  "would  it  not  be  a  good  thing,  and  who 
can  do  it  as  well  as  yon  ?"  Pray,  what  would 
it^post?  Just  almost  nothing:  and,  believe  me, 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS.     245 

there  is  no  possible  way  in  which  you  can  so 
charitably  invest  a  few  dollars,  as  in  this. 
Don't  throw  this  aside  and  cry  "  humbug  !"  It 
is  not  humbug — for  I  have  proved  it  to  my  own 
satisfaction,  and  now  let  me  prove  it  to  yours. 

On  a  recent  voyage,  where  a  library  belonged 
to  the  ship,  I  had  thirteen  men  before  the  mast. 
Two  of  these  men  died  during  the  voyage  of 
ten  months,  leaving  eleven — two  of  whom  went 
into  counting-houses  on  their  return,  and  six 
procured  situations  as  officers — and  this  good  re- 
sult was  accomplished  mainly  by  that  library  ! 
I  don't  mean  to  take  any  credit  either  to  my- 
self, for  it  was  only  a  pleasure  to  aid  in  carry- 
ing out  the  good  designs  of  such  owners  as  I  had 
the  happiness  to  sail  for. 

This  crew  was  all  American.  By  this  I  do 
not  mean  that  they  merely  had  American  pro- 
tections, for  foreigners  who  cannot  speak  a  word 
of  English  are  supplied  with  these ;  and  if,  as  I 
have  said  in  another  part  of  this  book,  collectors, 
shipping-masters,  and  captains,  did  not  wink  at 
this  evasion  of  the  law  as  it  now  stands,  three- 
fourths  of  our  ships  would  be  laid  up  for  want 
of  men.  This  subject  cannot  be  too  often  brought 
before  the  public.  Until  it  is  attended  to,  there 
will  exist  a  heavy  drawback  upon  the  efforts  of 
the  benevolent  for  the  benefit  of  seamen. 

They  were  Native  Americans,  and  this  is 
the  Native  Americanism  which  I  advocate 
They  could  all  read,  and  had  a  desire  to  i 


246     SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS. 

their  information.  They  knew  the  sanctity  of 
an  oath,  and  were  not  the  men  to  be  inveigled 
by  those  pests  of  society,  sailor  landlords  and 
sailor  lawyers,  to  swear  to  anything  and  every- 
thing which  they  were  told  to  do.  There  was 
encouragement  to  assist  such  men  as  these. 

But,  landsmen,  you  do  not  know  how  little  en- 
couragement there  is  frequently  for  ship-masters 
to  labour  for  the  interest  of  their  men.  There  are 
many  sailors  who  would  regard  such  efforts  with 
distrust,  so  prejudiced  are  they  against  their  offi- 
cers, and  prejudiced,  too,  by  those  very  persons 
who  call  themselves  their  friends,  and  some  of 
whom  are  undoubtedly  sincere  in  their  profes- 
sions. A  false  sympathy  has  been  gotten  up  for 
sailors  by  means  of  books  which  have  had  too  ex- 
tensive a  circulation,  and  which,  purporting  to 
be  narratives  of  personal  experience,  have  ob- 
tained a  great  deal  more  credit  than  they  de- 
serve. People  on  shore  believe  that  sailors  are 
almost  universally  abused,  and  a  jury  can 
scarcely  be  found  who  will  convict  a  sailor  or 
clear  an  officer.  They  make  no  allowance  for  the 
perjury  of  ignorant  sailors,  and  perjury  is  more 
common  in  cases  of  this  kind  than  truth.  The 
law  has  become  nearly  a  dead  letter,  as  far  as  it 
reads  for  the  benefit  of  the  officers.  There  are 
printed  articles  for  the  crew  to  sign,  and  printed 
laws  upon  the  same  sheet,  and  printed  formulae 

receipts  for  wages  in  full  of  all  demands  ot 
hat  kind  soever.    But  the  courts  have  set  these 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS.    247 

aside  as  meaning  nothing  at  all.  Sailors  know 
that  the  public  feeling  is  altogether  in  their 
favour,  and  that  lawyers  who  will  advocate  their 
cases,  (though  they  forget  they  will  pocket  their 
money,)  are  always  on  hand.  They  are  thus 
ready  to  take  advantage  of  every  opportunity  to 
prosecute  their  officers,  whom  they  are  taught  to 
consider  tyrants  and  enemies,  for  the  slightest 
cause,  which  they  magnify  into  cruel  abuse ; 
and  if  they  cannot  put  the  story  together  in  a 
plausible  shape,  the  landlords  and  lawyers  will 
do  it  for  them,  and  the  sailors  will  swear  to  it. 

This  has  been  carried  to  an  almost  incredible 
extent.  Allow  me  to  relate  an  instance  drawn 
from  my  own  experience,  and  although  I  assure 
you  it  is  entirely  true,  make  an  allowance  of 
seventy-five  per  cent.,  on  account  oC  my  being 
personally  interested,  and  believe  the  balance, 
and  I  am  satisfied. 

I  sailed  from  Boston  in  1841  for  the  East  In- 
dies, and  I  acknowledge  myself  in  fault  for  not 
particularly  examining  each  man  that  was  ship- 
ped. However,  they  were  brought  down  as  usual 
by  the  shipping-master,  some  sober  and  some 
drunk.  Upon  getting  to  sea,  they  all,  with  one 
exception,  came  to  their  senses  and  to  their 
duty ;  and  this  exception  was  a  crazy  man;  who 
had  been  put  on  board  as  simply  a  drunken  one! 
He  was  so  violent  as  to  attempt  stabbing  some 


of  his  shipmates,  and  they  requested  me  to  taktfBj 

ac- 


care  of  him  as  their  lives  were  in  danger.     I 


- 


248     SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS. 

cordingly  confined  him  in  a  state  room,  from 
which  he  quickly  made  his  escape;  and  after 
trying  various  milder  methods  to  keep  him  qui- 
et, I  was  obliged  to  put  him  in  irons,  releasing 
him  only  occasionally  when  not  so  violent,  and 
keeping  another  man  in  constant  attendance 
upon  him.  When  freed  from  his  irons  in  one 
instance,  he  jumped  overboard,  and  we  saved 
him  with  great  difficulty,  so  much  did  he  endea- 
vour to  drown  himself.  Upon  arrival  at  Singa- 
pore, he  attempted  to  run  away,  but  I  prevented 
him,  intending  to  procure  a  place  for  him  in  an 
insane  hospital  at  home. 

On  the  homeward  passage,  (with  slight  lucid 
intervals,  during  which,  however,  he  was  too  ill 
to  work,)  he  continued  deranged,  requiring  con- 
stant attendance  and  care.  Upon  arrival  in  New 
York,  the  decks  were  swarmed  as  usual  with 
landlords,  and  he  with  the  rest  of  the  crew, 
(with  whom  I  had  no  fault  to  find,  and  none  of 
whom  had  been  punished  during  the  voyage,) 
were  carried  off  by  these  harpies.  Pay  day 
came,  and  every  man  was  paid  his  wages  ex- 
cepting Isaac  Brown  the  crazy  man,  who  did  not 
appear,  but  in  his  place  appeared  a  landlord,  who 

claimed  to  be  his  brother-in-law,  and  who  pro- 
Ms 
duced  an  order  signed  Isaac  ><!  Brown,  for  the 

mark 

balance  of  his  wages,  amounting  to  over  one 
ndred  dollars.  I  questioned  the  authenticity 
it,  for  I  knew  that  the  man  could  write.  I 


SAILOR'S  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS.     249 

refused  to  pay  it,  at  any  rate,  on  the  ground  that 
he  had  earned  nothing,  but  that  he  was  properly 
in  debt  to  the  ship  for  his  advance  wages,  and 
for  his  passage  to  Singapore  and  back  again,  as 
well  as  for  the  wages  and  board  of  one  man  who 
constantly  attended  him.  I  used  every  exertion 
to  find  his  whereabouts,  in  order  to  have  him  pro- 
perly cared  for,  but  in  vain.  Well,  this  brother- 
in-law  put  the  case  into  the  hands  of  Burr,  Ben- 
edict and  Beebe.  It  was  carried  before  Judge 
Betts,  and  seven  of  that  crew,  who  were  all  that 
remained  in  the  city,  solemnly  swore  that  Isaac 
Brown  was  a  good  seaman  ;  was  neither  drunk 
nor  deranged  during  the  whole  voyage,  and  al- 
ways performed  his  duty  like  any  other  man, 
excepting  for  a  few  weeks,  when  the  captain 
cruelly  confined  him  in  irons !  The  circumstance 
of  his  jumping  overboard  was  unknown  to  them  ! 
Two  of  these  men  were  those  who  begged  me  in 
the  first  place  to  confine  him,  because  their  lives 
were  in  danger ;  and  two  of  the  others  assisted 
in  rescuing  him  from  drowning!  Being  part 
owner  of  the  ship,  I  was  not  allowed  to  testify. 
My  two  mates  and  carpenter  were  only  three  to 
seven,  and  Judge  Betts  accordingly  allowed  the 
brother-in-law  of  Isaac  Brown  to  libel  the  ship 
for  his  wages.  The  offence  was  finally  settled 
at  an  expense  of  over  three  hundred  dollars. 
Now  what,  or  rather  who  do  you  suppose  in- 
duced these  men  to  perjure  themselves  ? 
Three  years  afterwards  I  was  about  to 


250      SAILORS 

from  New  York,  and  Isaac  Brown  came  down 
on  board  of  the  ship.  Mental  and  bodily  dis- 
ease had  made  sad  havoc  upon  him,  and  he  was 
really  too  much  an  object  of  pity  to  be  one  of 
anger.  Though  thus  miserable,  he  appeared  to 
be  at  the  time  in  his  right  mind.  He  came  to 
beg  money. 

"I  have  been  miserable,"  said  he,  "  ever  since 
that  voyage  I  was  with  you.  My  landlord  took 
my  clothes  and  put  me  aboard  of  a  coaster,  and 
I  don't  know  where  I  have  been  since." 

Upon  being  questioned  in  regard  to  the  order 
for  his  wages,  he  offered  to  make  oath  before 
heaven  that  he  never  knew  of  it,  nor  did  he  know 
that  the  ship  was  libelled.  He  had  not  received 
one  cent  of  his  wages  or  of  the  three  hundred 
dollars  we  had  paid,  and  he  had  no  brother-in- 
law  or  any  other  relative  in  New  York !  To 
whom  did  the  money  go  7 

The  practice  of  prosecution  is  now  so  common 
that  many  ship-masters  who  are  frequently  in 
and  out  of  port,  find  it  cheapest  to  pay  "black 
mail"  to  the  principal  sailor  lawyers,  and  when 
a  writ  is  presented  it  is  always  considered  ad- 
viseable  to  pay  the  lawyer  a  round  sum  to  quash 
it — and  this  money  the  sailor  never  sees. 

Let  me  not  be  misunderstood  as  asserting  that 
officers  are  always  in  the  right,  and  sailors 
always  in  the  wrong ;  for  some  might  say  that 

am  prejudiced  in  favour  of  the  captains,  from 
ding  that  situation  myself.  I  only  claim  a 


SAILORS'  RIGHTS  AND  SAILORS'  WRONGS.    251 

portion  of  public  sympathy  for  all  sides.  There 
may  be  tyranny  and  maltreatment  on  the  part  of 
officers,  in  many  instances ;  but  those  instances 
are  far,  very  far,  less  numerous  than  people  are 
led  to  suppose.  I  do  not  wish  to  deal  in  hints, 
but  much  prefer  to  speak  out  plainly.  Such 
books  as  Mr.  Dana's  "Two  Years  Before  the 
Mast,"  and  Mr.  Browne's  "Whaling  Cruise," 
however  interesting  in  many  particulars,  convey 
very  wrong  impressions  as  to  the  general  treat- 
ment of  seamen.  They  do  not  assert  in  so 
many  words,  that  sailors  are  always  abused  (for 
they  acknowledge  instances  of  the  contrary,)  but 
they  give  people  to  understand  that  sailors  are 
rather  maltreated  by  their  officers  than  otherwise. 
The  reverse  is  the  truth.  I  do  not  profess  to  know 
much  about  whale  ships;  but  no  one  can  read 
Mr.  Browne's  experience,  without  seeing  plainly 
that  he  has  overshot  the  mark,  and  without  being 
amused  at  his  project  of  establishing  a  democracy 
at  sea. 

These  remarks  are  not  the  result  of  "  one 
cruise,"  or  of  "  two  years  before  the  mast;"  but 
of  thirteen  years  in  various  stations  from  the 
hawse-hole  to  the  quarter-deck,  and.  without 
boasting,  1  trust  that  I  can  call  upon  many  sail- 
ors to  witness  that  I  have  not  been  their  enemy. 

Let  the  true  friends  of  seamen  be  encouraged. 
Their  labours  have  not  been  in  vain  :  but  there 
is  a  vast  deal  more  to  he  done.  Remodel  th 
laws,  and  see  that  they  are  enforced.  Do  not  r 


252       SAILORS'   RIGHTS    AND    SAILORS'   WRONGS. 

till  a  law  of  apprenticeship  is  established,  which 
shall  bring  more  Americans  into  the  merchant  ma- 
rine. Urge  upon  owners  to  furnish  libraries  for 
their  vessels,  and  if  they  will  not  do  it,  do  it  your- 
selves. Frown  upon  (I  know  no  name  so  bad  to 
call  them  by  as  their  own)  sailor  landlords  and 
sailor  lawyers.  Give  sailors  education,  and  make 
them  men. 

Brother  shipmasters,  we  have  something  to  do 
in  this  matter.  Do  not  be  discouraged  because 
of  ingratitude  and  annoyances.  If  our  pockets 
suffer,  let  not  our  consciences  suffer  too.  We 
can  aid  the  efforts  and  charities  of  those  who 
live  on  the  land.  If  we  wish  to  remove  profan- 
ity and  drunkenness  from  sailors,  let  us  not 
swear  nor  be  intemperate  ourselves  ;  if  we  wish 
to  see  them  manifest  a  respect  for  religion,  let  us 
render  obsolete  the  saying  of  "No  Sunday  off 
soundings."  There  is  a  Sabbath  there  as  well  as 
ashore,  and  we  are  as  much  bound  to  regard  it 
as  any  men,  to  say  the  least,  for  none  have  more 
reason  for  gratitude  to  its  Insti tutor  than  our- 
selves. 

Let  us  all  remember  that  "  the  sea  is  His, 
and  He  made  it,"  as  well  as  that  "His  hands 
formed  the  dry  land." 


14  DAY  USE 

TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


UOAN  DEPT. 


LD  21A-50m-ll,'6$ 
(D3279slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


